Legal: templates and forms

For someone in Northern Ireland who needs another person to act for them in one matter only — selling a car, signing a contract, dealing with a bank account or a property sale while they are away. A deed (section 1 of the Powers of Attorney Act (Northern Ireland) 1971) naming the matter, what the attorney may sign and when the power ends, printed and signed in ink before a witness. If a letter of authority or the organisation’s own free form will do, use that first.

For someone in Scotland who needs another person to act for them in one matter only — selling a car, signing a contract, dealing with a bank account or a property sale while they are abroad. The power names the matter, what the attorney may sign and when it ends, and is signed before one witness so that it is self-proving. Like every power that is not a registered continuing power, it has no effect while you are incapable (Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, s 18). If a letter of authority or the organisation’s own free form will do, use that first.

For anyone asked by a bank, employer, council, DVLA or another organisation to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, living together, a name used, an address or a family link. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the words the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 requires. You sign it in person before a solicitor or commissioner for oaths, for the fee set by law of £5, plus £2 for each exhibit, or before a notary public, who sets their own fee.

For a claimant in England, Wales or Scotland who disagrees with a DWP decision on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, another DWP benefit or, in England and Wales, Personal Independence Payment. A written request to look again at the decision, within one month (or up to 13 months with reasons): it says why the decision is wrong, lists new evidence and asks for DWP's evidence and a mandatory reconsideration notice. The journal and DWP's own form are free. Posted first class. Not for Social Security Scotland's benefits, such as Adult Disability Payment: they have a redetermination. Sold blank, as it may hold health data.

For an adult in Northern Ireland changing their first name, surname or both — after marriage, divorce or simply by choice — who needs proof for their bank, employer, HM Passport Office or DVLA. A deed poll you make yourself: it renounces the old name, adopts the new one and is signed in both names, in ink, before two adult witnesses. Enrolling it in the Central Office of the High Court in Northern Ireland is optional, and most people never need to.

For anyone in Scotland asked by a bank, employer, council, DVLA or another organisation to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, living together, a name used, an address or a family link. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the closing words of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. In Scotland you declare it in person before a notary public or a justice of the peace — a solicitor only if they are also a notary — and no fee is set by law, so ask the charge first.

For anyone in Northern Ireland asked by a bank, employer, DVLA, a pension scheme or another organisation to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, living together, a name used or a family link. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the words the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 requires. You sign it in person before a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, notary public or justice of the peace; a commissioner’s fee is £5, plus £2 for each exhibit (SR 1993/418).

For a claimant in Northern Ireland who disagrees with a Department for Communities decision on Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Carer's Allowance or another benefit. A written request to look again at the decision, within one month of it, or later with your reasons: it names the decision, says why it is wrong, lists new evidence, asks for the evidence used and for a mandatory reconsideration notice, the step before an appeal to The Appeals Service. The journal and the phone line are free alternatives. Posted first class. Sold blank.

For anyone in Scotland aged 16 or over who is changing their first name, surname or both — after marriage, divorce or by choice — and needs proof for their bank, employer, HM Passport Office or DVLA. In Scotland no deed poll is needed: a statutory declaration, declared before a notary public or a justice of the peace, records the change, and HM Passport Office accepts one. If you were born or adopted in Scotland, National Records of Scotland can also record the change against your birth record, by post, for a fee; its form is the official route for the register.

For anyone aged 16 or over who is changing their first name, surname or both — after marriage, divorce or simply by choice — and needs proof for their bank, employer, HM Passport Office or DVLA. An unenrolled deed poll you make yourself: it renounces the old name, adopts the new one and is signed in both names in front of two adult witnesses. GOV.UK explains the free route and the optional enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice, which costs a fee.