Frequently Asked Questions - Changing the name of a Child
If your change of name relates to an adult, marriage, civil partnerships, divorce, the dissolution of civil partnerships or gender realignment then please visit the FAQ pages which are dedicated to these topics.
General FAQs about legally changing your child's name
Can I legally change my child's name?
For what reasons can I change my child's name?
Can I choose any name for my child?
Why do people change the name of their children?
How to change your child's name
How can I legally change my child's name?
Do I need a Deed Poll to legally change my child's name?
When can I change my child's name?
Can I have the name on my child's birth certificate changed?
Changing your child's name by Deed Poll
What exactly is a deed poll?
How do I change my child's name by deed poll?
Is it easy to change my child's name by deed poll?
What exactly is parental responsibility?
Who has parental responsibility for my child?
Why is a solicitor not required?
How long does it take to change my child's name by deed poll?
How much does a deed poll cost?
Do I have to pay any other costs for changing my child's name?
Using a Deed Poll
Will the Identity & Passport Service accept a deed poll prepared by you?
What happens after I’ve applied for my child's Deed Poll?
Who can be a witness for my child's deed poll?
How do I get my child's new name legally recognised?
Who do I need to notify about my child's change of name and when?
Yours, and your child's, Safety and Security
Is my application safe and secure?
Is making payment safe and secure?
Is delivery safe and secure?
Further Help & Advice
Contact Us
Ask Our Expert
General FAQs about legally changing your child's name
Can I legally change my child's name?
Anyone with Parental Responsibility for a child can legally change their child’s name, as long as everyone else who also has parental responsibility for the child gives their consent for you to do so. If you have sole parental responsibility for your child, then only your consent is required.
For what reasons can I change my child's name?
You can change your child's name for any reason, as long as it is solely for the benefit of the child and it is not intended to defraud or deceive another person.
Can I choose any name for my child?
Although there is no law to stop you from choosing any name you wish, we will not accept applications for a name change which:
- would, or could, lead other people to believe your child has an honour or title that they are not due (i.e. Lord, Sir, Dame etc);
- we consider to be offensive or blasphemous;
- does not contain at least one forename and one surname;
- would be impossible to pronounce.
Why do people change the name of their children?
There are many reasons why someone would change their child's name, these include: adopting the name of someone the child is close to (i.e. a step-parent, or step-siblings); the child not liking their current name; and because the child no longer has contact with one of their parents, whose name they currently use.
How to change your child's name
How can I legally change my child's name?
There are several ways to change your child's name (including by Deed Poll, statutory declaration and by making an announcement in the press) but the way that is most suitable will depend on how you intend to use your child's new name, and the circumstances for which you are changing their name.
The Identity and Passport Service and most banks and building societies will only accept a Deed Poll as proof of your child's change of name.
Do I need a deed poll to legally change my child's name?
This depends on how you intend to use your child’s new name. If they have a passport, or they intend to use either a passport or a driving licence in the future, then a Deed Poll would be advised as this will avoid any problems with your child using their new name when applying for a passport or a driving licence. If no proof of the name change can be provided to the IPS or the DVLA, then they may refuse to allow your child to have their new name on their passport.
There are other circumstances for which a Deed Poll would be required also, for example to change your child’s name on some bank accounts.
When can I change my child's name?
You can change your child's name at any time you wish, as long as everyone with legal parental responsibility for your child gives their permission for the child's name to be changed.
Can I have the name on my child's birth certificate changed?
There are very few circumstances for which you can change your child’s name on their birth certificate.
We advise that you contact the General Registry Office for advice if this is what you intend to do and they will be able to tell you if this is possible for your child’s circumstances.
Changing your child's name by Deed Poll
What exactly is a deed poll?
A deed poll - officially called a 'Change of Name Deed' - is a document which states and individual's intention to adopt and use a new name. Many people are often under the misconception that a solicitor is required to either prepare or sign a deed poll - this is not the case. The deed polls we prepare are fully legal and certified.
How do I change my child's name by deed poll?
To change your child’s name, by deed poll, all you need to do is fill out an application form - you can do this online, by post or over the phone.
Once we have the required details, we will prepare your child's deed poll and deliver it directly to you. All you have to do is sign it in the presence of a witness, who will also be required to sign your child's deed. If you have joint parental responsibility for your child, then anyone else with parental responsibility will also be required to sign your child's deed poll.
Is it easy to change my child's name by deed poll?
With a Deed Poll it is very easy to change your child's name because, once you and your witness have signed their deed poll, you can then use it to have all of their records and documents changed or updated, including their passport and the name on their bank or building society account.
When receiving a deed poll from us, we provide a detailed guide on whom you might need to inform about your child' change of name and how you would go about doing this.
Having a deed poll prepared for your child is straight-forward, all you need to do is provide us with the relevant details and we will prepare the deed poll for you.
What exactly is parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility refers to the people who have the responsibility for the care and welfare of their children.
Who has parental responsibility for my child?
A child’s mother automatically acquires parental responsibility for the child at birth, a father does not.
Births Registered in England or Wales
If the child’s birth was registered (or re-registered) on, or after, 1st December 2003 and the father was named on the child’s birth certificate, then both the mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
If the mother and father were married when the child was born, or any time after the child was born, then both mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
Births Registered in Scotland
If the child’s birth was registered (or re-registered) on, or after, 4th May 2006 and the father was named on the child’s birth certificate, then both the mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
If the mother and father were married when the child was conceived, or any time after, then both mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
Births Registered in Northern Ireland
If the child’s birth was registered (or re-registered) on, or after, 15th April 2002 and the father was named on the child’s birth certificate, then both the mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
If the mother and father were married when the child was born, or any time after the child was born, then both mother and father have parental responsibility for the child.
If you are unsure of exactly who has legal parental responsibility for your child, then please contact us so that we can help you determine exactly who has to ensure that your child's name is change legally, and in the most appropriate way.
Why is a solicitor not required?
A solicitor is not required to prepare, or sign, your child’s Deed Poll as the change of name is affecting only the person who is changing their name and, because of this, there is no legal requirement for a solicitor to prepare or sign the deed poll.
Only the people who have parental responsibility for the child and one witness (and, if the child is old enough, the child themselves), need to sign the Deed Poll.
How long does it take to change my child's name by deed poll?
If you use the Fast-Track and Special Delivery services, then your child’s name can be changed today and your child’s deed poll could be with you as soon as tomorrow*.
*For next day delivery, you must use the Fast-Track Service with the Special Delivery service. If your application is received after 4.30pm on a working day or at weekends or on bank holidays then your documents will be prepared on the next working day for delivery the day after. How much does a deed poll cost?
A Change of Name Deed for a child costs £54, this includes: a statement of parental responsibility and FREE Standard Delivery.
For details of all our services and the fees, please view Our Services & Fees section.
Do I have to pay any other costs for changing my child's name?
The IPS will charge you to change your child’s name on their passport. The fees for this can be found on their website.
Changing your records with other companies, including your bank and building society, should be free.
Using a Deed Poll
Will the Identity & Passport Service accept a deed poll prepared by you?
Absolutely, all the deed polls that we prepare are fully certified, by us, to confirm that they are true, original documents. The Identity & Passport Service will only accept a deed poll as proof of a name change.
What happens after I've applied for my child's deed poll?
After you’ve applied for your child's deed poll, we will process your application and prepare your child’s deed poll for you.
Depending on the service you’ve selected, you could receive your child’s deed poll as soon as tomorrow*.
When you receive your child’s Deed Poll all you have to do is sign it in the presence of a witness, who must also sign the document. If your child is old enough, then they can also sign the deed poll.
*For next day delivery, you must use either the Fast-Track Priority, or Fast-Track Priority +PLUS, Preparation & Delivery service. If your application is received after 4.30pm on a working day or at weekends or on bank holidays then your documents will be prepared on the next working day for delivery the following day.
Who can be a witness for my child's deed poll?
A witness for your child's deed poll can be anyone who is 18 or over and a full-time resident of the United Kingdom and who also does not live with your child and who is not related to your child - a friend or a neighbour could do this for you.
How do I get my child's new name legally recognised?
Your child’s new name becomes legal as soon as their deed poll has been signed. The deed poll itself, along with your use of their new name, is what makes the name legally recognised.
Who do I need to notify about my child's change of name and when?
You need to notify everyone who your child has dealings with that you have changed their name and this should be done as soon as possible. It is a criminal offence to knowingly mislead others; this includes using your child’s old name when you have legally changed their name.
When you receive a deed poll from us, we also provide a detailed guide on whom you might need to inform, about your child's name change, and how you would go about doing so.
Yours, and your child's, safety and security
Is my application safe and secure?
Online applications are handled using the highest possible safety and security available. We us 256-bit encryption to capture the data you provide us with.
Sometimes, items sent in the post can get lost, so we advise that if you apply by post you do so using one of Royal Mail’s Special Delivery services.
We only take the details which are relevant to be able to prepare your child's deed poll.
The Official Deed Poll Service will treat any information you provide us, with the strictest of confidence and we will never share your information with any third party.
All the information we hold is stored securely and can only be accessed by data controllers.
Is making payment safe and secure?
Online payment is taken using PayPal, who hide your financial details and will never share them, including with us. It’s also fast and easy; you don’t even need a PayPal account to be able to pay using their service and you will not be charged a fee for using this method of payment.
If you are sending your payment by post - do not send cash - cheques and Postal Orders should be sent instead, and we advise that you do so using one of Royal Mail’s Special Delivery services to ensure that your payment and application are sent securely.
You can also make a cash payment, for no extra charge, via your local Barclay’s Bank, even if you don’t bank with them. Cash payments can be accepted for applications made online, by phone or by post.
Is delivery safe and secure?
We send all documents to our clients in protective envelopes to prevent the risk of them being damaged while they are being sent to you. You can choose to have your child's documents sent using either a Recorded or Special Delivery service, if you are concerned about the security of the documents or if you would rather receive the documents sooner.
Full details of our Preparation & Delivery Services can be found by visiting our Fees and Services section.
Further Help & Advice
If you have any further questions that you would like us to answer, or if you would just prefer to speak to someone about any questions or concerns you may have, then please contact us and we will be happy to help you in any way that we can.
Contact Us
You can call us - between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday - on 07805 012 794
or you can e-mail us at contact@officialdps.co.uk
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