Do we need to re-register our children’s birth?

[EsmesRedPetticoat]

DP and I are getting married in a few months and I will be changing my surname. We have 2 children together who already have the same surname as him but obvs my name on the birth certificates is my maiden name. Someone has just told us that if we want to apply for passports for the girls we will have to re-register the birth with my married name or we won’t be able to get passports. Anyone know of that is accurate? (They don’t currently have passports)

[Jammiebammie]

No, you just send your marriage certificate to show your maiden name is now your married name.

[Jammiebammie]

Or your passport number if your passport still has your maiden name?

[EsmesRedPetticoat]

Thanks. I thought it didn’t seem right but google wasn’t very helpful!

[meditrina]

Yes, everyone who marries should by law re-register the births.

Don't worry if you don't the fine is a princely £2

(I suspect it's only still the law because no-one has ever found parliamentary time to tidy it up)

[KnitterOfSocks]

I reregisterd two of our children after we got married. Strictly speaking, it is a legal requirement, although I beleive the fine is a maximum of £10. I only did it because we were at the registry office registering third child (born after we married) and they said we should.

There are some very obscure inheritence quirks relating to "those children of the marriage" but apart from that I don't think it makes any difference day to day.

[Jammiebammie]

The gov website is really good and you can get the forms online too. here
There’s also a passport advice line number on there if you have any questions you can’t find the answer to online.

[Frightenedbunny]

We had to re-register my sons birth after we got married!

[Imfinehowareyou]

I thought it was just to do with inheritance laws. We had our 2 DC pre marriage and won't be having any more so haven't changed the birth certificates.

[Jammiebammie]

Can pps answer, I thought you only re register if you are changinrhe dcs surname?

[Jammiebammie]

*changing the

[ExplodingCarrots]

We got married last year. Been meaning to re register our DD but havnt got round to it. Have recently applied for DD's first passport with no issue and didn't need to send marriage certificate .

You've just reminded to make an appointment to re register , so thanks

[Harleyisme]

No it doesn't matter if you dont change dcs name you still have to reregister them with your married name. Me and dh had to do when we married.

[KnitterOfSocks]

Nothing to do with changing their surname, you are supposed to do it for all children. We did because we had two before and one after, so I wanted them all to be the same - but I have no plans to die intestate which it think its when it kicks in (to do with who is a "child of the marriage" and who isn't)

Given the outrageous fines, I wouldn't have bothered if we hadn't had DC3

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Yes we did, the children didn’t change surnames.

[stucknoue]

No, in fact you can't as it a record of your name then. You send the birth certificates and your marriage certificates plus your passport numbers

[Needsomezzzz]

It's to do with an old law. We had to legitimise our children once we got married.

[Jammiebammie]

Thanks. But does it have anything to do with getting dcs passport as OP asked? Apologies if I have misinformed you op.
I was under the impression it was only to change dcs surname or to add father to bc.

I’ve never re registered mine, and have got all of my dcs passports (with my maiden name on bc) since I’ve been married)
Is it the same in Scotland?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

stuck you’re wrong.

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

I don’t know about passports, ours already had them.

[Easterbunnynearlyhere]

Oops keep meaning to do it as intend to change ds's surname!!

[bigchris]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-re-register-a-childs-birth-following-marriage-of-natural-parents

Here is the form and more info

[EsmesRedPetticoat]

Ah so it’s for inheritance stuff?
That reminds me we need to sort out a will at some point soon as we don’t have one. Just need to get this pesky wedding business out of the way