Problem with changing surname - just discovered birth certificate name is different!

Nixxx

It quite easy in the olden days for your parents to call you whatever they like officially as you did not have to prove things as rigidly as you do now. The government is mainly concerned that you will in no way try to defraud the state (i.e claim benefits in both of your names).

With getting a passport, you just need to prove to the IPS that you are indeed British and have a right to a British passport. A birth certificate is not considered absolute proof of identity so you will have to provide extra documentation to prove your name.
So if your name is different to your birth certificate, I believe you need to demonstrate that you are "known as" the name you wish to appear on your passport. i.e your bank accounts, hmrc, (or any governmental body needs to recognise you as your "known as name").

Perhaps contact the IPS Passport Advice line on 0300 222 0000, or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Applyingforyourfirstadultpassport/DG_174104 for more info.

jennyjelly

I'd agree with the poster who suggested making a statutory declaration.

We did it when our first baby was on the way as our name was one which just invited bullying and DH didn't want DS to go through what he went through at school,

We went to the CAB who arranged for us to make a stat dec with a JP who visited the CAB for this purpose once a month. If I remember right it cost £2.50 (though that was 22 years ago!).

Well worth doing.