Changing spelling of name?

zain

We have decided to change the spelling of our childs name. It is only a slight spelling change. We would like to do this formally.

Does anyone know how to do this? How much does it cost?

Ted_Hutchinson

Details here UK DEED POLL SERVICE

Jay-Jay_4

Give your solicitor a ring, he'll draft and witness a change of name. Not sure how much it is to draft but to have mine witnessed was £5.

It's only a one page job so it shouldn't be too costly.

There is no register (unless you want it in the London Gazette) of changes of name and you cannot change the details on the birth certificate so it's up to you to tell people of the change.

You don't really need to do it officially though I can understand that it's nice to have something legal to back up your decision.

Savvy_Sue

I know several people whose name on their birth certificate isn't how it's spelled now - the person registering the birth didnt know how to spell the name! Hasn't caused any problems but again I can understand why you might want some official documentation.

vansboy

Actually I've a different name, to the one I was Christened with, the vicar accidently dropped me in the font, just as he said ' I name this child... whooops $%^%$% expletive!!'

I'll get me coat!!

VB

rushnowt

i went through most of my childhood and youth using a different surname, i had no idea it was just the one i thought i had, it was only when i left school and received documents from tax office etc, that i realised that my mother had just used a different surname it was never changed legally. ??? ???

trafalgar_2

My first two kids have not had their surnames changed 'legally' but they are now their legal names as they have been known by them for a number of years ;D

not for fraudulent purposes

Plumpud_3

There are three ways that you can change your name legally.

The first is by common usage. Just tell the relevant authorities. My 7 year old wanted to change her surname to that of her Step-dad's we just told the school, doctors, dentists, banks, etc. This was fine until we needed to get her a passport. The passport office just wouldn't accept it, despite her being known as that name for 8 years. We were short of time so had to get a passport in her birth name.

The second - and most common - way is change of name deed. You can do this yourself, but we chose to use a solicitor, to ensure it was correctly worded and witnessed. This is accepted by all, as it is legal. If you decide to go down this route with a solicitor, phone around for some quotes. The cheapest quote I got was £70 plus VAT from the solicitors in my local town. My friend recommended a solicitor in a nearby, but larger, town - price £40 including VAT. It is one side of A4, correctly worded and witnessed, plus umpteen certified copies.

The third way is by deed poll. I'm not sure how you proceed with this other than it costs substantially more, you have to put notices in papers and it is not of any more benefit than change of name deed.

Obviously the biggest problems are Passports, getting married and now the increased security checks for opening a bank or bs account. Change of name deed does the job.

You think that just the change of spelling of a first name is simple, but my friend was always known as Jayne, but discovered that it was spelt as Jane on her birth certificate. She was really annoyed when she got married, as she had to have Jane on the marriage certificate. Registrar wouldn't accept anything else.

Fionnuala_2

This is really interesting. My first name and my middle name are both spelt incorrectly on my birth certificate. However in my 30 or so years I've had passports, mortgages, bank accounts, loans, drivers licences and so on and so forth all in the corrected version of my full name without so much as a hint of hassle; my incorrectly spelt names only appear on my birth certificate. I've never been married, but when I do get married (next year I hope) I will have a hissy fit if I have to use the incorrect spellings!

Good luck with this - I do think it's worth changing legally, particularly with so much fraud, heightened security etc etc and getting it done officially will I am sure will save your child lots of problems as s/he grows up.

Savvy_Sue

i went through most of my childhood and youth using a different surname, i had no idea it was just the one i thought i had, it was only when i left school and received documents from tax office etc, that i realised that my mother had just used a different surname it was never changed legally. ??? ???

At least you found out earlier than some. I know someone who discovered the day before the wedding that their surname wasn't what they thought it was! Panic that maybe this meant they couldn't marry: brilliant vicar assured them it was OK. Do not know what is on the certificate though! I presume it is whatever name the banns were called in.

I've never been married, but when I do get married (next year I hope) I will have a hissy fit if I have to use the incorrect spellings!

I had a hissy fit while signing the registers! Our minister had spelled my surname wrong again!

"Don't worry", he said, "it's the last time I'll do that!" He was able to correct it (changing an E to an I) but it looks a bit messy.