What makes a good witness? 

Once you receive your documentation you will need to sign it in the presence of a witness who will also need to sign it. The criteria for a person to be a witness to a deed poll document are:

– Be over 18 years old.

-Preferably have a different address of residence than the person changing their name

– Be independent of the person changing their name, meaning they cannot be a family member or partner.

– Be able to speak, read, and understand English.

– Be of sane mind and capable of comprehension.

The witness is not required to vouch for the identity of the signatory or read the document. The key is to have a witness who is independent, familiar with the person and mentally capable. This ensures the witness can provide credible, unbiased verification of the name change.