Changing Children's surnames

The_Magic_Cap

Prior to the birth of my first child my then partner changed her surname to mine via deed poll so that we all had same surname. Now that the relationship is over she's raised possibility of her and our two children reverting to her birth surname. I'm against the idea but legally speaking does anyone know if I have a say in the matter. Although we were never married I'm listed on birth Certs if that makes a difference?

Heffi1

If you are listed on the birth certificate as father then I would imagine that the children would take your surname.

Person_one

I think she'll need your permission to change a child's name, but obviously she can do whatever she wants with her own.

Laurajo_2

I thought both parents had to agree to changing a child's name

lika_86

The_Magic_Cap wrote: »

Prior to the birth of my first child my then partner changed her surname to mine via deed poll so that we all had same surname. Now that the relationship is over she's raised possibility of her and our two children reverting to her birth surname. I'm against the idea but legally speaking does anyone know if I have a say in the matter. Although we were never married I'm listed on birth Certs if that makes a difference?

Who is going to be the primary caregiver? If it's her, why would you be against the idea?

Assuming she is to be the primary caregiver, don't you think it would be easier for her when taking them to the doctor's, school or clubs etc that she has the same name as them?

The_Magic_Cap

The children (4&6) do have my surname, as does the ex, she wants all 3 to change their names.

GoldenShadow

Heffi1 wrote: »

If you are listed on the birth certificate as father then I would imagine that the children would take your surname.

And there I was thinking the male gender was meant to be equal, and not superior, to it's female counterpart.......tbh, I'm pretty sure it is! Kid is listed as whatever is decided, the man's name is not automatically selected over the woman's.

OP your consent will be needed to change the names if you are on birth certificate.

peachyprice

lika_86 wrote: »

Assuming she is to be the primary caregiver, don't you think it would be easier for her when taking them to the doctor's, school or clubs etc that she has the same name as them?

How so?

We're not living in Victorian times, doctors, schools, clubs etc are quite capable of dealing with children who do not have the same surname as a parent, be that either a mother or a father. It really isn't that unusual nowadays.

lika_86

peachyprice wrote: »

How so?

We're not living in Victorian times, doctors, schools, clubs etc are quite capable of dealing with children who do not have the same surname as a parent, be that either a mother or a father. It really isn't that unusual nowadays.

Capable, yes, but there seems to be a standard assumption that children will have the name of the parent. Someone I work with is Spanish and so has a different name from her children, when she rings the doctor etc for n appointment she always has to explain that while her surname is X, her children don't share that and is Y.

Equally, my mum works in an after school club and has dealt with parents where their surname is say Smith and the initial assumption is that they are the mother of Junior Smith when in actual fact they are the mother of Junior Jones.

I just don't understand the male pride that seems to be associated with having children who have their surname.

Mojisola

lika_86 wrote: »

I just don't understand the male pride that seems to be associated with having children who have their surname.

In this case, the mother changed her name and gave all the children her partner's name so she must have wanted it.

Both parents have to give permission to change a child's surname.

It might not affect the children much if there was just one surname change back to the mother's birth name but some mothers change the children's surnames every time they move a new man into the house.

GobbledyGook

The children should retain the surname they've always known imo. Technically I believe there should be a need for both parents to agree to a name change. In practise I think the parent who objects needs to be on the ball with it as in schools a lot of things are done on the say so of the primary caregiver. It's quite common to have children registered as Johnny Smith, but known as Johnny Jones.

It seems to be more common now to change names after a split (children I mean). It's very bizarre imo. Not fair on kids to chop and change their name. Fair enough if they are old enough to do it themselves.