Changing my daughters surname

Sinhanada

Hi All

I'm hoping someone on here can help.

I was married when my daughter was born so I am on the birth certificate, but the wife and I have since divorced. The statement for arrangement for children states that she lives with me full time and I have parental responsibility. My daughter came to live with me from South Africa in 2007 and I've since remarried and changed my surname (amalgamated the two for instant poshness).

My daughter now wants to be know by our new surname and I have a letter from her mother (Still living in South Africa) stating this is ok.

What is the best way to go about this and does anyone know how long and or how much it would cost?

I've seen https://www.deedpoll.org and wondered if they're reputable or if there is a better option?

busiscoming2

As long as the law hasn't changed I did my DD's name change myself about nine years ago, so saved paying any fees.

I just typed out the deed and had it signed and witnessed by a neighbour. I did go and buy some 'formal' looking deed paper from Staples

We then sent the forms to have her passport changed first as my thinking was that they would be the most likely to reject it. They issued a new passport and she has never had any problems anywhere.

Buzby

Do your own - but far better to to have the witness to be a Notary Public or JP. An official stamp seals the deal. Cost, just the paper.

Sinhanada

Thanks both - is there a set format to use when doing this? And do I need to register this anywhere?

cavework

How old is your daughter?
I ask this as my son from my first marriage decided he wanted to adopt my new married name when he was 6. to be like his little step brother
All we did was let the school know he wanted to be known by this name ... 8 months later he changed his mind and reverted to his original name.
No problem our end and nice for his Dad
Please just be aware that kids ideas can turn on a sixpence

Grumpygit

Jeez, you're lucky - we've just done that with my daughter and we had to have a solicitor who had to go to court with my ex. It cost us £485!

iammumtoone

cavework wrote: »

How old is your daughter?
I ask this as my son from my first marriage decided he wanted to adopt my new married name when he was 6. to be like his little step brother
All we did was let the school know he wanted to be known by this name ... 8 months later he changed his mind and reverted to his original name.
No problem our end and nice for his Dad
Please just be aware that kids ideas can turn on a sixpence

I take it you had to have his Dads permission to change his name? My ds has his father name if I asked him I am sure he would want to keep it which is fine by me, but if I did want him to change it I would like to think I couldn't do so without his fathers permission.

Sinhanada

Thank you all for your replies. Interestingly I found this on the Ministry of Justice website;

Contrary to popular belief, there is no central register of name changes in the United Kingdom. Deed Polls are not registered anywhere unless they are "enrolled" i.e. lodged for safe keeping, in the Close Rolls of the Chancery (from 1851 to 1902) and from 1903, in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature, which is located within the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/rcj-rolls-building/queens-bench/enforcement

I've emailed them and will find out the difference then post it here

cavework

There was no problem with the school and I didn't need his fathers permission.
I had custody and I think this was an unofficial change of name as nothing of legal importance was changed ie Passport.

meritaten

it is perfectly legal to use any name you wish to. but, the authorities do like the one which is on official documents.

you can draw up your own document stating that from henceforth you wish your daughter to be known as 'Phoebe Pilkington-Glass' and get it signed and then witnessed. attatch her mothers letter agreeing to this.
this should satisfy the passport office for example. also the school for registration purposes and the doctors.