Changing a childs name -Help needed.

angie_baby

Hi, I am looking for advice on changing my sons name. His surname is his fathers and was registered in 2002. I know i cannot remove it from his birth certificate but can i change it without his fathers permission? If so how much will this cost? Many Thanks Angie

Nicki

I think, though am not sure, that this depends on whether you were married to the father or not. Someone who knows more may be along soon. In the meantime, perhaps you should add in this info so that you get the right answer.

angie_baby

Nicki wrote: »

I think, though am not sure, that this depends on whether you were married to the father or not. Someone who knows more may be along soon. In the meantime, perhaps you should add in this info so that you get the right answer.

Sorry, no we were not married.

MXW

This happened to my friend, but she was married. Her daughter had to wait until she was 16/17 (not quite sure of the exact age) before her daughter could apply to the courts to change her name as her ex refused to agree to the change.

angie_baby

Thanks, my button isnt working!

budget_counsellor_shaz

angie_baby wrote: »

Hi, I am looking for advice on changing my sons name. His surname is his fathers and was registered in 2002. I know i cannot remove it from his birth certificate but can i change it without his fathers permission? If so how much will this cost? Many Thanks Angie

I don't think you can, it depends on your childs father and the involvement he has with your son, does he pay maintenance? ...........go and speak to the citizens advice bureux they'll help you.

Shaz

astonsmummy

http://www.ukdps.co.uk/CanIChangeMyChildrensNames.html
Have a look there gives loads of info.

angie_baby

budget_counsellor_shaz wrote: »

I don't think you can, it depends on your childs father and the involvement he has with your son, does he pay maintenance? ...........go and speak to the citizens advice bureux they'll help you.

Shaz

We havent seen him for over 5 years now. Will go to citizens advice bureux when i nect get the chance. I want to do it beacuse really it is just him and me. It would be nice if we could both be the same. Every time i have to use his surname it brings back bad memories.

mookiandco

As you child was born in 2002, even if his father's names on the birth certificate, he will not have parental responsibility for the child. The law changed in december 2003 and any father who is named on the birth cert and is present at the registration automatically get parental responsibilty. Married fathers automatically have parental responsibility.

Parental responsibility is all the rights and duties a parent has including being able to made decisions about education, religion and consenting to medical treatment. If you wish to change a child's surname and the father has parental responsibility you would need his consent. If his consent was not forthcoming you would have to apply to the court for a specific issue order so the court could determine whether the childs name should be changed.

As your childs father doesnt have parental responsibilty you can change your childs surname.

angie_baby

mookiandco wrote: »

As you child was born in 2002, even if his father's names on the birth certificate, he will not have parental responsibility for the child. The law changed in december 2003 and any father who is named on the birth cert and is present at the registration automatically get parental responsibilty. Married fathers automatically have parental responsibility.

Parental responsibility is all the rights and duties a parent has including being able to made decisions about education, religion and consenting to medical treatment. If you wish to change a child's surname and the father has parental responsibility you would need his consent. If his consent was not forthcoming you would have to apply to the court for a specific issue order so the court could determine whether the childs name should be changed.

As your childs father doesnt have parental responsibilty you can change your childs surname.

Thanks. I was sure something changed in 2003. Any ideas on how much is costs or can i just do it by deed poll. And sounding thick yet again, how do i do that?