Cult of Shiv Admin Team @AdminTeam

SleepyCattenHey folks :FediverseSymbol: Apologies in advance for any errors, typos, omissions, or unclear explanations. We've written this hastily whilst still in AuDHD burnout, fighting through brain fog and fatigue (and possible infection), after reading the latest <a href="https://www.wearequeeraf.com/understand-the-lgbtqia-news-important-intersex-study-from-world-health-organisation-researchers/#spotlight-uk-deed-polls" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">QueerAF newsletter</a>, as they have unknowingly made this service seem legit. We are not a lawyer and we are happy to make amendments accordingly for those who have more experience than we have from our research or notice errors / typos we've made. Also, boosts are most welcome. Also, just to clarify, we are very much NOT bashing QueerAF. We think they're AMAZING and you should totally subscribe to their newsletter. This is just a one-off error, which we've highlighted to them, along with the GDPR and scamming implications. <h1>The gist</h1>Despite its official-sounding name, the <a href="https://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">UK Deed Poll Office</a> is NOT an official government agency. They even admit as much in small print at the bottom of pretty much all their pages: <blockquote>The UK Deed Poll Office is not a government agency. Our function is purely as a document provider for the self-declaration of an unenrolled deed poll.</blockquote>If you look under the <a href="https://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org/terms-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">terms and conditions</a>, it gets worse.<blockquote>We own and operate the Website <a href="http://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.ukdeedpolloffice.org</a> (“Website”). We are UK Deed Poll Office LLC, with a UK postal address at Queensway House, Queensway, Middlesbrough, TS3 8TF, UK. Our official company is based out of the United States at UK Deed Poll Office LLC, 416 W 52nd Street 323, New York, NY 10019.</blockquote><h2>Is it the only one?</h2>When we first wrote this PSA, we thought it was, but we've since found several more, some based in the UK, scamming people into paying for unenrolled deed polls that they could do for free!!!<ul><li><a href="https://deedpolloffice.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Deed Poll Office</a><ul><li>UK registered as <a href="https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08126967" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Deed Poll Office Limited on Companies House under 08126967</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://www.deedpoll.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">UK Deed Poll Service</a> and <a href="https://www.deedpolls-online.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Deed Polls Online</a><ul><li>Both UK registered as <a href="https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08587775" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">UK Deed Poll Service Limited on Companies House under 08587775</a></li><li>Only the first website states this: the second doesn't list it anywhere</li></ul></li></ul>We doubt these are the only ones, too: just the ones we found (due to one comparing itself against the others).<h1>Problems</h1><h2>GDPR</h2>We felt the need to do this post after seeing a worrying article in this week's QueerAF newsletter:<blockquote>The UK Deed Poll Office just <a href="https://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org/transgender-name-change-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">released analysis</a> of the trends they see when trans people change their name.</blockquote>Gender identity is considered <a href="https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/lawful-basis/special-category-data/what-is-special-category-data/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">special category data</a> under GDPR, and comes with a lot of additional <a href="https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/lawful-basis/a-guide-to-lawful-basis/lawful-basis-for-processing/special-category-data/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">legal requirements for processing</a>.Given that this is a scam company operating out of the US, do you really think they're going to <a href="https://gdpr.eu/compliance-checklist-us-companies/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">comply with GDPR</a> like they should do?No: of course they won't. They already haven't. If they had, they wouldn't have been able to produce an <a href="https://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org/transgender-name-change-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">analysis about trans people's name changes</a>, as they shouldn't be collecting, storing, or processing such information!!!This was data from 1,516 trans people, likely without their consent for their data to be stored and used.<h2>Other issues</h2>Beyond the worrying GDPR implications, unenrolled deed polls are completely free, minus printing costs, to create, but not universally accepted in all UK nations, and yet this scam company: <ul><li>Is charging people for a free deed poll creation process. </li><li>Implies that you need to apply for a legal name change in all UK nations.</li><li>Implies that the unenrolled deed poll will be accepted in every nation within the UK.</li></ul><h2>Legal name?</h2>Strictly speaking, the UK doesn't have a concept of a legal name or surnames: at least not like other countries do. Instead, it's just what name people know you by. So the term legal name is often used, but it just means whatever your name is. However, how you formally change your name to update IDs varies across nations.<h3>England and Wales</h3>You can easily change your <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_name#England_and_Wales" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">legal name</a>, so long as it's not for nefarious or fraudulent purposes. As TransActual summarises it: <blockquote>It is a principle of the law in England and Wales that a person’s legal name can be changed simply by using a new name and becoming known by it. There is no legal requirement for a new name to be enrolled or registered. -- <a href="https://transactual.org.uk/names/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">TransActual - Name Changes - An overview</a></blockquote><h3>Scotland</h3>Updated on 2024-12-20 based on additional info from Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Neat-Bill-9229/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Neat-Bill-9229</a>, who replied <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/transgenderUK/comments/1hi4vvb/comment/m2wj3fj/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a> to the version of this we posted on RedditIt's a bit different in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_name#Scotland" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Scotland</a>, as Scottish law is different to English law in terms of name changes.The official name change route for people who were born or adopted in Scotland is listed on the <a href="https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/recording-change-of-forename-and-surname-in-scotland" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">changing your name page</a> on the <a href="https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">National Records of Scotland (NRS) website</a>. This legally registers the name change and updates your birth certificate with your new name... and sadly the name you were "formerly known as" too 🥺Unlike enrolled deed polls, however, the name change isn't published publicly, so this method doesn't carry the same associated risks. It's only a public record in the sense that all birth certificates are public records (i.e., someone would need to order a copy of your birth certificate). However, if you're willing to wait until you get a Gender Recognition Certificate, you can use a different route to change your name and gender on your birth certificate at the same time. Details are listed on the <a href="https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/gender-recognition/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">gender recognition page</a> on the NRS.Please note that you aren't required to register a change of name for it to be considered legally valid. An easier and cheaper route for many is to change your name via a <a href="https://www.scottishtrans.org/trans-equality/change-of-name/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Statutory Declaration for Change of Name</a>. It should cost no more than £10 to get a "practising solicitor, notary public, or other officer of a court authorised by law to administer an oath" to witness this. Alternatively you can ask a "Justice of the Peace" to witness your statutory declaration. You can find your local court and book an appointment on the <a href="https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals/sheriff-and-justice-of-the-peace-courts/justice-of-the-peace-courts/signing-documents/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">signing documents page</a> on the <a href="https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website</a>. Please note that you may have to wait a few weeks for an available appointment, depending on your local court.Scottish Trans has created a <a href="https://www.scottishtrans.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Statutory-Declaration-for-Change-of-Name-Over-16s.docx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">template</a> that can be used by anyone 16+. We'd recommend reading all the guidance before filling it in. Technically you shouldn't be able to use an enrolled deed poll to change your name, but only if it was signed in Scotland. If you got it signed in England or Wales, then returned to Scotland, it should in theory be accepted, as the applicable name change law depends on which nation it was signed in. It's a loophole that you can successfully use, though some institutions may still query it if it doesn't look official enough. Parchment paper is definitely recommended.<h3>Northern Ireland</h3><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_name#Northern_Ireland" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Northern Ireland</a> is different again. You can try to use an unenrolled deed poll in theory, but you might need to apply for a name change through the General Register Office, which will cost money, and some methods may lead to registering the name change publicly.We'd recommend reading the <a href="https://www.rainbow-project.org/changing-you-name-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Rainbow Project name change</a> page and reaching out to them for more info.If you can get one ID updated using an unenrolled deed poll, it should be easier to get others done.<h1>Creating a deed poll</h1>If you do not have access to a printer, you could ask a friend if they can help you, or print from any public facility with free (or cheap) printing, like many libraries.Although many choose to print their deed poll (or polls, if they make multiple originals) on fancy and/or thicker A4 paper (like parchment / certificate paper), this is not required. It's just to make it look more formal and less likely for be unjustly rejected when <a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/telling-organisations/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">telling organisations</a>, despite your <a href="https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-rectification/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">right to rectification under GDPR</a>.<h1>Why you shouldn't enroll / register the name change</h1>In England and Wales, avoid enrollment at all costs if you are trans or may be at risk if someone finds your new name.<blockquote>Enrolling a deed poll will create a permanent searchable link between your old and new names, including a notification in the London Gazette. Anyone could find out your old name with only a few seconds of web searching. -- <a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">GenderKit - Name change by deed poll - Warning</a></blockquote>It's slightly different in Scotland and Northern Ireland:<blockquote>In Scotland and Northern Ireland, a name change carried out without a GRC will also cause your birth certificate to display both your old and new names. -- <a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/registering-a-name-change/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">GenderKit - Registering a name change - Warning</a></blockquote>Your birth certificate is considered a public record, but someone would need to order it to see your former names. If you avoid the registration route, you can update your birth certificate without it deadnaming you after you've got a GRC.<h2>Removing name change from public record?</h2>If you have already enrolled your name change via deed poll, you can ask The Gazette to <a href="https://www.thegazette.co.uk/policies/removing-notices" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">remove your name change details</a>, but you may not be able to remove the public record of your name change 😔You could try to ask under the <a href="https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">GDPR right to be forgotten</a>, but we have no idea if that would be successful.If you wish to remove your previous names on your birth certificate after registering a name change in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will likely need a GRC to ask for this.<h1>Where can I find more info?</h1>Please check out the following links. They're not exhaustive, but should put you in the right direction. <ul><li><a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">GenderKit - Name change by deed</a></li><li><a href="https://freedeedpoll.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Free Deed Poll Generator</a> for 16+</li><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">UK gov page on deed polls</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Adult deed poll page</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/change-a-childs-name" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Under 16</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://transactual.org.uk/names/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">TransActual - Name Change</a></li><li><a href="https://www.scottishtrans.org/trans-equality/change-of-name/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Scottish Trans - change of name</a></li><li><a href="https://www.rainbow-project.org/changing-you-name-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Rainbow Project (NI) - changing name</a></li></ul><a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/DeedPoll" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#DeedPoll</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/UKDeedPollOffice" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#UKDeedPollOffice</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/scam" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#scam</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/UK" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#UK</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/England" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#England</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/Wales" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#Wales</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/Scotland" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#Scotland</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/NorthernIreland" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#NorthernIreland</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/NameChange" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#NameChange</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/trans" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#trans</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/transgender" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#transgender</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/enby" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#enby</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/NonBinary" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#NonBinary</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/queer" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#queer</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/LGBTQ" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#LGBTQ</a>+ <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/LGBTQIA" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#LGBTQIA</a>+ <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/LGBTQIA2S" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#LGBTQIA2S</a>+

SleepyCatten<a href="https://tech.lgbt/@shiraz" class="u-url mention">@shiraz</a> Here we go 👇 :blahajTransPride: <a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/category/id-documents/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no">https://genderkit.org.uk/category/id-documents/</a><a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-deed-poll/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no">https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-deed-poll/</a><a href="https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-statutory-declaration/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no">https://genderkit.org.uk/article/name-change-by-statutory-declaration/</a><a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/trans" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#trans</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/DeedPoll" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#DeedPoll</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/NameChange" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#NameChange</a> <a href="https://cultofshiv.wtf/tags/UK" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#UK</a>

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