How Do I Change My Name on the Land Registry?
Have you recently changed your name? Worried about how it will impact your property rights in 2024? It's crucial to update your official property documents to ensure your new name is legally recognised. This can be done either by yourself or through a solicitor.
The HM Land Registry is the authority you need to reach out to. By updating your information with them proactively, you're safeguarding your ownership rights and preventing the risk of fraud, making it easier to sell or transfer your property.
The process of changing your name at the Land Registry
Deed poll
A deed poll is a legal document that declares your intention to change your name. You can create one yourself or use a template online.
You'll need to sign it with two witnesses not related to you, and it's recommended to register the deed poll with the Registry of Deeds in England and Wales.
Statutory declaration
A statutory declaration is a formal, official document that confirms the truth of a statement under oath.
It must be signed in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths (someone who is authorised to witness the signing of important documents), who could be a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.
Statement of truth
A statement of truth is used in property legal proceedings and is used to confirm that the information within a document is true and accurate.
Both a statutory declaration and statement of truth can be used to confirm your new name with the Land Registry. An experienced solicitor can help you with both of these.
Marriage, divorce, or change in civil partnership
If you change your name when you get married or become civil partners, the Land Registry will need to update their records; you will need to submit Form AP1 for a change of name due to marriage and provide a copy of your marriage certificate.
If you are divorced, you might want to adopt a new name or go back to your maiden name. To update the Land Registry, you'll need to provide evidence of the divorce.
Firstly, complete the application form for a change of name due to divorce, and then attach a copy of your divorce decree or final order.
The same goes for any changes within a civil partnership. If you enter or leave a civil partnership, you might need to update the Land Registry.
You'll need to collect the relevant documents such as a civil partnership or dissolution order, apply for a change of name due to civil partnership changes, and then attach the required documentation.
Gender change
If you need to update your name due to a gender change, the application process is slightly different.
Instead of filling out an AP1 form you will need to use a Change of Gender (CNG) form to update your name with the Land Registry.
You will also need to provide either a gender recognition certificate, a new birth certificate, or a letter from your GP confirming the change.
How much does it cost to change a name on the Land Registry?
It doesn't cost anything to send HM Land Registry an application to change your name, but if you use a solicitor you will need to pay for their expertise and service of changing it for you.
SAM Conveyancing's solicitor fees start from £99 INC VAT to change your name at the Land Registry, and they will handle the whole process for you.
However, if you want to stop your previous name from being seen on old documents, you will need to pay £12 per document for electronic applications (only businesses and organisations can do this electronically) and £25 per document for paper applications. Note: SAM Conveyancing does not provide this service, you will pay the Land Registry these fees directly.
What is the HM Land Registry?
The Land Registry is a centralised database for property ownership in England and Wales. If you need to register land or change the title documents for a property held in their database, they will charge a registration fee.
Whether a leasehold flat or freehold title, anyone can view information on property ownership on the Land Registry website for £3.
Any property transfer, sale, purchase, or mortgage in England and Wales needs to be registered with the HM Land Registry for:
- Any unregistered land or property.
- A new owner of already registered land or property.
- A mortgage, lease, or right of way affecting already registered land or property.
Use SAM's expert solicitors
Our experienced solicitors can help you with your Land Registry updates, including a name change.
The work involved will vary depending on your needs, so tell us what you need to achieve and we'll explain the process with a fixed-fee quote for our services.
Fees for a Land Registry name change start from £99 INC VAT.
What information is included in the Land Registry property documents?
On the Land Registry website, you can receive a property summary (free), a title register (£3), or a title plan (£3).
- The property summary includes the address, a description, the type of ownership of the property, and any restrictive covenants or easements.
- A title register includes the title number, who owns the property, the last sale price of the property, if there is a mortgage, and details of restrictive covenants or easements.
- The title plan outlines the property's location and general boundaries.
Do you need a solicitor to change your name on the Land Registry?
If you're confident in your ability to complete the application yourself and your circumstances are relatively straightforward, you can do this without a solicitor.
Whilst it isn't necessary to have a solicitor change your name on the Land Registry, it can be helpful.
Forms are available for you to download and complete yourself, but you will need to print these off, fill them out by hand, and post them to the Land Registry.
A solicitor will be able to do all of this online for you. As well as the turnaround time of online versus snail mail, we do the ID1 & ID5, and if you don't have a deed poll or marriage certificate we can do the statutory declaration required to make the application.
If you do the actual application yourself, you still need a solution for ID verification, and if required, the statutory declaration.
Plus, if you have complex circumstances that might result in delays or confusion, a solicitor will be able to help you address these.
For example, if there are any ongoing legal disputes involving the property, a solicitor can provide expert independent legal advice and representation to protect your interest during your name change process.
Do you need mortgage lender consent?
Legally, you do not need consent from your mortgage lender to change your name at the Land Registry, but it's always a good idea to inform them. Both the HM Land Registry and your mortgage lender will want the most up-to-date information.
Exceptions to this:
- If your mortgage agreement specifically states that you need your lender's consent for name changes, you'll need to follow the guidelines outlined in the agreement.
- If you're planning to refinance your mortgage or change the terms of your loan, your lender might require updated documentation, including a name change.
Did you know?
The Land Registry receives around 301,000 register updates per month which includes those transferring property, updating charges (mortgages), and changing names.
It can take between 9 and 16 weeks to complete a name change.
Source: Gov.uk
The importance of updating the Land Registry
Protecting your property rights
An outdated name on official property records can leave you vulnerable to fraudulent activities such as identity theft or inheritance fraud. By updating this information, you reduce the risk of unauthorised claims or transactions.
For example, someone could use your old name to claim ownership of your property. With forged documents or false identification, a person could trick Land Registry officials into believing they are the rightful owner.
Not only that, but they can even obtain a mortgage using your old name and use the funds from the loan for personal gain.
Easier to sell or transfer property ownership in the future
Your ownership rights need to be up-to-date for legal matters like when selling or refinancing your property. Keeping this information current will reduce the risk of confusion and potential delays with the Land Registry.
Mortgage lenders typically require accurate property ownership information to assess refinancing eligibility and determine loan terms.
Not doing this could result in a denied application, increased interest rates, or even legal complications. All of this impacts your ability to secure a new finance loan in the future.
If you were to pass away, having the most up-to-date information at the Land Registry will simplify inheritance and transferring property ownership to your heirs or beneficiaries.
Would you like to run through your Land Registry needs with a really helpful person?
Call us at 0333 344 3234 or request a callback/email to answer your queries about our Land Registry application services. SAM's UK-based team will explain which of our solicitor services are required to make changes to the title.
There's no obligation to instruct. We'll make sure you understand your options and provide a free, fixed-fee quote for our best-value service to meet your needs. No robots, no call centres. Property challenges solved.
SAM's top tips
- Always refer to the Land Registry's website for the most up-to-date guidance and application forms.
- The form you'll need to use for most of these situations is called an AP1 (Change the Register Form).
- Be prepared to provide additional documents like proof of identity or property ownership.
- If you're unsure about the process or have complex circumstances, instruct a solicitor to help.
Looking for a fast-track application?
If you're experiencing frustrating delays, the Land Registry offer a free service to expedite your application as long as you meet their criteria and provide supporting evidence.
- If the delay will cause problems not related to a land transaction.
- If the delay puts a property transaction at risk like a refinancing deal or development.
They will not expedite an application that is already in progress or search the whole land register, and you cannot ask the Land Registry to fast-track an application if you do not have a valid reason to.
If you're worried about delays, our conveyancing solicitors can enter your application with an expedition request to keep your transaction moving smoothly.
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