Deed poll in Singapore

A deed poll in Singapore records your change from your current name to a new name. Loh Eben Ong LLP prepares Deed Polls for adults and children, with signing before a lawyer at our Middle Road office.

Start with your details online. We review your documents, prepare the deed and explain the signing requirements for your situation.

Loh Eben Ong LLP · Established 1994
135 Middle Road, Singapore

Deed poll in Singapore: a mother signs before Leona, with her child beside her at Loh Eben Ong LLP.

Illustrative signing scene featuring our Leona character.

What does a Deed Poll do?

A standard Deed Poll records the name you give up and the name you adopt. You may add a first name, change a surname, remove part of a name or change ethnic characters. First, decide the exact spelling, order and characters you want to use.

After signing, you must apply to update the relevant official records at ICA yourself. The Deed Poll does not itself amend your NRIC, passport or birth certificate. Acceptance remains subject to the receiving authority’s requirements.

At a glance

  • Adults: aged 21 and above, sign personally.
  • Children: under 21, parents generally sign.
  • Appointment: in person at our Singapore office.
  • Next step: you apply to update your records at ICA.

Who can use our Deed Poll service?

AGED 21 AND ABOVE

Adults changing their name

You sign your own Deed Poll before our lawyer. Bring your original NRIC or passport and check every name and identification detail before signing.

If you have different names in different records, send us the documents first. A statutory declaration or customised deed may be more suitable.

BELOW AGE 21

Parents changing a child’s name

Both birth parents should ordinarily consent and sign on the child’s behalf. Your child generally need not attend our office.

If only one parent will sign, we must review the supporting basis first. Sole custody alone may be insufficient. Read our guide to changing a child’s name before booking.

How much is a deed poll in Singapore?

Our current standard fees depend on age and citizenship or PR status. The amounts below are net; no GST is presently charged. Check the Deed Poll fee calculator for the latest charges and optional certified copies.

Standard Deed Poll fees
Applicant Singapore citizen or PR Foreigner who is not a PR
Adult, 21 and above S$50 S$100
Child, under 21 S$80 S$150

Customised wording

Specially drafted Deed Polls are generally estimated at S$300 to S$500, depending on the scope. This may include ICA requirements or different names in Singapore and foreign records.

Optional lawyer-certified copies cost S$10 each. Fees may change and all engagements are subject to our agreement.

Your deed poll in Singapore: the steps

For a standard application, submit your details first and then book the appropriate signing appointment. Contact us first if you need special wording or unusual signing arrangements.

01 · SUBMIT

Send your details

Complete the online application with your current and intended names. Upload clear supporting documents and describe any special requirements.

02 · CHECK

Review the particulars

Check the spelling, name order and ethnic characters carefully. We may ask for further documents before finalising the deed.

03 · SIGN

Attend our office

Bring the original documents and sign before our lawyer. For a child, arrange for the required parents or guardian to attend.

04 · UPDATE

Notify the authorities

Keep the executed original safely. You apply to update your IC or passport and notify banks, schools, your employer and other relevant organisations.

What documents should you bring?

  • Your original NRIC or passport.
  • For a child, the birth certificate and both parents’ original identification documents.
  • Any previous Deed Poll or document linking different names.
  • Any relevant court order, guardianship document, death certificate or ICA correspondence.

Tell us in advance if a document is missing, in another language or records different particulars. We will confirm any additional requirements after reviewing your application.

PRs, foreign passports and special cases

For a Singapore PR, ICA requires the name in the foreign passport to be updated before it changes the Singapore IC. Check your home country’s requirements before relying on a Singapore Deed Poll.

For an AKA, Right of Entry or name-equivalence request, send us the authority’s exact instructions. These matters may need a customised deed. A Singapore document does not automatically alter foreign records.

See ICA’s current IC requirements and our AKA and Right of Entry guide.

After signing: update your records

Signing your Deed Poll does not notify ICA or other organisations automatically. Apply promptly to update the relevant records and check ICA’s current procedure for your circumstances.

Keep the original safely and retain copies of documents linking your former and new names. Before travel, check that your ticket and travel document use the same name.

Our post-Deed-Poll checklist explains the practical follow-up steps.

Deed poll in Singapore: common questions

You can submit your details and supporting documents online. However, our standard service requires personal attendance at our Singapore office to sign before a lawyer. We do not offer virtual signing for a standard Deed Poll.

Both birth parents should ordinarily consent and sign for a child under 21. If only one parent can sign, contact us before booking. We need to review the birth certificate, any relevant court order or other supporting documents. Sole custody alone does not necessarily authorise a unilateral name change.

Your child generally does not need to attend. Parents sign on the child’s behalf, although the child may come along if you prefer. Tell us about any guardianship or consent issue before making the appointment.

We can consider a Deed Poll for Singapore use, subject to your documents and the receiving authority’s requirements. A Singapore Deed Poll does not automatically change a foreign passport. For a Singapore PR, ICA requires the foreign passport to show the new name before it updates the Singapore IC.

The Deed Poll itself does not amend a birth certificate. ICA has a separate name-alteration procedure for an eligible child below one year old. For older children, check how ICA will record the new name. Foreign birth certificates remain subject to the issuing country’s requirements.

We generally prepare standard Deed Polls within one to three working days after receiving complete and accurate information, subject to availability. Customised wording or additional documents may take longer. The executed original is usually available on the day of signing.

Send us ICA’s written request and the relevant Singapore and foreign identity documents. An also-known-as or name-equivalence declaration may need different wording from a standard renunciation and adoption of a new name. We will review the scope and quote separately.

If Loh Eben Ong LLP prepared it, ask about a certified true copy from our records, subject to availability and the recipient’s requirements. Check our lost Deed Poll CTC service. A certified copy is not a newly signed original.

More answers: Deed Poll help centre. For birth-record changes, see ICA’s child-name alteration guidance.

READY TO BEGIN?

Submit first, then book

Send your application online and check the confirmation email. Then choose the appointment for an adult or a child. For a customised matter, contact us before booking.

Loh Eben Ong LLP