CSA Question

Lady_S

To be honest not sure if anyone will be able to answer this, but had a letter from the CSA and the names of the children are wrong on there. It shows my ex wifes maiden name.

When I spoke to them they said that this is the name the children were given at birth.

But, I don't think it is, it was my surname. How can I find out if my ex has changed the name of the kids?

Bossyboots

How old are the children and did you go with her to register the birth?

Lady_S

Chilren are 8 and 6. I wasn't there to register the birth of our first, but I was there to register the birth of our second, my daughter. CSA, said I need paperwork to confirm their names, but I don't have it as my ex kept everything ( records and money etc)

sarahlouise210

Your ex wife can change the childrens name if you do not have "parental responsibility" for the children.It is only a recent thing that fathers have automatic parental responsibility if they register the birth - assuming your children are not very young then you will not have automatic parental responsibility if you were not married when they were born. If this is the case then she can change their name without your permission. She may just be using her maiden name for them and has not changed their names officially. If this is the case you can apply to the courts for parental responsibility - this way she will not be able to change their name without your consent. You must remember though that they may have changed their name at school etc and if this is the case it would be traumatic for them to then have to change back again. Only way to know for sure how it has been done is to ask the children or your ex. I am assuming you would know the name on their birth certificates-if not you can check this by applying for a copy of the certificates.

matto

I thought you automatically had parental responsibility if you were married at the time of the birth.

Bossyboots

A father acquires parental responsibility upon marriage to the mother of his children. Otherwise sarahlouise is correct.

comping_cat

matto wrote:

I thought you automatically had parental responsibility if you were married at the time of the birth.

Yes, if you were married at the time of birth, you automatically get PR.

Lady_S

we were married, and we still are. unfortunately.

us,thecat&thedebt

have you tried discussing it with your ex wife or even your kids

the children may well have wanted to have mummys name if she reverted back to her maiden name?

when my mum married my step dad i was 9 and cried my eyes out cos they had differnet names to me...

my mum was unsure how i would feel about it being changed when i was older so had it double barreled dads name-mums name...

10 years on and tbh i only really use the first part of my surname...

divorce/seperation can be very tough on children

maybe if you talk to your exwife/kids you could agree to something similar?


Hope this helps

and i hope you dont feel im getting at you (if so sorry)
its just ive been the kid in this issue.

us the cats and the debt
x

TIGs

You can apply for your childrens birth certificates on line, my partner did this when he wanted his kids birth certificates and his ex wife wouldn't give them to him, can't remeber the site but will try to find it for you.

It should then say on birth certificate what name they have.

As far as i know as soon as you get married if the children are yours (your name on birth certificate) you get parental responibility automatically.

Lady_S

I wouldn't bring it up with the kids, because I don't think that it is fair that they get dragged into this.

I have no contact with my ex now due to her being a psycho and attacking me physically at any available opportunity. So having a nice chat about it isn't possible.

Main thing that worries me is my ex feels its fine to act outside the law, and I wouldn't be suprised if she has changed their names legally by deed poll even though she shouldn't have done so. But, I don't know how to find out. At the end of the day I feel I have a right to know the name of my children.