Changing children's names on after remarriage

[xanderma]

I recently remarried (I'm female), and my children are asking about changing their surname - they want to double barrel their current name (i.e. their natural father's name) with their step-dad's, if that makes sense.

I've looked into changing by deed-poll, which I understand I can do if their dad gives his permission, but if he doesn't agree, what I my options? I've been told that the children can be "known as " anything they like, but this won't apply to bank accounts, passports etc - so where exactly could they use their name then?

Thanks for any help you can give

[mrs_overall]

Hi.
You can call your children by whatever name you want without having to go to the expense of changing it by deed poll. It is called having an "assumed name."
One of my relatives did this with her children when she remarried. The natural father does not have to give permission.
You simply notify anyone who needs to know - schools, dentist, doctor etc.
When the kids reach adulthood and need passports/bank accounts etc, you simply produce a letter from someone who knows them well saying
I have known Ann Bloggs-Smith since her birth in 1999. Although the surname on her birth certificate is Bloggs, I can confirm that she has used the surname Bloggs-Smith since 2009 and is known excluseivly by this name.

Easy peasy!

[mrs_overall]

Damn dyslexic keyboard....that should read "exclusively"

[dot.haukes]

I have used my maiden surname and married surname for everything (apart from my internet use) for 25 years without any legal change. It is only the same thing. there are no problems unless as mrs O says, you need to apply for anything like a driving license, passport or produce your birth certificate, say when you go to university or want to get married too, and of course your name on your nayional insurance record would likely be your original name.

[Kidd72]

My Mum re-married when I was Seven and since then Iv'e used my step-Fathers surname (It was changed by deed-poll) but when aquiring a passport, obviously birth certificate was required but as mrs_overall says all that was needed (aswell as BC) was a covering letter by someone other than a friend or family member, a GP for eg. No permission required by Biological muppet needed.

[oldmaggie]

Interesting answers. In my experience in family court if a father has parental responsibility the mother cannot change a childs surname without his agreement. Any attempt to get a passport for the child in another name could result in court action. The name on their birth certificate legally stands until they reach 18 when they can then call themselves whatever they like.

[xanderma]

Thank you everyone for your posts - pretty much as I thought, but you've spelt it out clearly for me!

KIDD72 - lol at the "Biological Muppet" comment - think my ex has just got a new name!!

Thanks again