LFGSS and Microcosm shutting down 16th March 2025 (the day before the Online Safety Act is enforced)

It's a ballache "just using it". I've never considered the deed poll route though.

I use the shortened version of my first name and so a load of records (birth certificate, NHS) use the full first name, most of everything else (passport, driving license, bank, work, etc) uses the shortened version.

I have to jump through hoops for various things:

• I have to admit to an alias on DBS checks (for work and for volunteering with kids sports clubs)
  
• Covid time was sometimes tricky as NHS vaccination records wouldn't match my passport name (some countries had automated systems so I was booted into the slower manual process)