deed poll
noun /ˈdiːd pəʊl/
/ˈdiːd pəʊl/
[uncountable, singular] (British English)- a legal document signed by only one person, especially in order to change their name
- Smith changed his name by deed poll to Jervis-Smith.
Word Originlate 16th cent.: so named because the parchment was “polled” or cut cleanly, not indented at the edges as in the case of a deed made by two parties.