Changing childs surname

[pidget]

Not sure if this is the right place or not but anyway- I have 3 children who all have their fathers surname as we were going to get married but it didn't work out. My oldest daughter is quite vocal about wanting the same surname as me, I dont want to take theirs away (and am sure he would not let that happen) but is it possible to add mine as well?

[sherrardk]

Hi, I asked a similar question a couple of days ago - http://www.theanswerb...w/Question986252.html

[woofgang]

yup...she just starts calling herself "Jane pidget-dadsname" her dad needs to agree and on official stuff she will need to use the name on her birth cert, When she is older, if she is still of the same mind, she can do the deed poll thing.

[ummmm]

You can call yourself what you want. You can change her name with the doctors, schools etc...she will just have to have legal documents such as passport in her original name.

[ljdksa]

You only need permission from the father if he has parental responsibility. If you were not married to him and registered your daughter before 2003, you don't need permission from the father.

[ljdksa]

http://www.childrensl...angingachildssurname/

[pidget]

Thanks thats really helpful, the only query is that she was registered before 2003 but he does have parental responsibility, do I still need to ask him?

[woofgang]

well whether you "have" to or not, it would be a sensible thing to do if he is still in her life and you have a reasonable relationship with him...IMHO

[ljdksa]

If he has parental responsibility, then yes. If he disagrees, you may still be able to do it through court, if it is in your child's best interests. The link I posted above will give you more detail.

[weecalf]

Heard the child has to be refered by the new name for so long before the name can be changed .Or summit like that

[ljdksa]

I think that's for a dog :-)

[carlton23]

I don`t think you may change the child's Christian name, but you can change the Surname to anything you like. But to get it recognised by law you have to do it legally by Deed-Poll

[Ninnynanny]

www.lawandparents.co.uk
www.adviceguide.gov.uk
Both of these sites explain what you can and cannot do, written in "plain english" easy to understand.