Changing child's surname

[totorosfluffytummy]

Hi,
..anyone changed their child's surname?
I have read some info online but would like to ask someone who has been through it as there are so many websites I want to make sure I'm using the right one and not paying extra.
It seems to be £36 plus paying for a solicitor - is this right?
Thanks.

[MrsBertBibby]

What jurisdiction are you in?

Does the child's father Agree?

[poddige]

I used the deedpoll website. Was around same amount. Needed fathers signature. I'll find the correct link.

[Caulk]

Isn’t it free like to when you do an adult surname? I paid £5 for the deedpoll certificate but it’s free to do it.

[poddige]

www.deedpoll.org.uk/ApplyOnline.html

Having searched for this (this is what I used) I've just seen on the Gov.uk site that a court order is £245 and there are other links.

Unsure of your circumstances OP. but I changed easily and cheaply through this, and has been used for passports etc. Good luck.

[megletthesecond]

You need the fathers permission if he's on the birth certificate I'm afraid. I've looked into it and can't do anything. So you're stuffed if he's totally absent and / or abusive.

[totorosfluffytummy]

I'm in North Herts.
I know I need their father's permission. I haven't mentioned this to him yet. Getting all the info first.
Hoping won't need to go to court even if I just get DD's name changed..he may agree..
My DD really wants to share my surname and wants to tell her dad this. My DSs say they do but I'm sure they'd be fine either way.
They've had his surname all their lives.
My fault all of this, I should have given them my surname from the start but he had proposed marriage and I believed we would marry.. it got put off by him, then he changed his mind and then decided to be unfaithful too.

[totorosfluffytummy]

Thanks for all replies! x

[totorosfluffytummy]

@poddige thanks for the link
I went through just to see how it works and there's a section to tick that both parents give permission
So if (big if!) I get his permission and then go ahead with this what do they do to check this? It hasn't asked for father's details
It seems much easier than the forms I found earlier that asks for witnesses and a solicitor to sign

[poddige]

It was so simple, I also changed mine at the same time.

Like I said I've used the form for passport/bank account change etc and it's done exactly what it said on the tin.

All it needed was a signature from their father and I think that's it.

Iirc you fill it out online and input all the details- mother/fathers names etc and then when the forms arrive you only need to sign them.

[Kelsoooo]

Same as Poddge.

And to the pp, if father is absent or abusive a judge can, and usually will, authorise the name change.

[MrsBertBibby]

The deed poll websites are not any kind of government agency. You do not need to use them, you can download change of name deeds online for free.

[totorosfluffytummy]

@Kelsoooo thanks for reply
@poddige thanks for all the info!
Right, just need to persuade him somehow..

[Collaborate]

Agree with MrsBertBibby. Download it for free. Look at one of the many millions of threads on this subject right here.

[totorosfluffytummy]

The gov.uk quotes £36 for a child

[prh47bridge]

That is for a deed poll. You can also change a child's name using a change of name deed. Unlike a deed poll, a change of name deed does not have to be sent to the Queen's Bench Division and advertised in The Gazette. It is completely free. You just download a template, complete it and sign it.

[prh47bridge]

Once you have the father's consent, of course.

[TeacupDrama]

Hopefully father will consent but he may not especially if he has a fairly positive and regular relationship as it may seem like trying to airbrush him out of the picture, I presume he has parental responsibility and is on birth certificate.

if the father sees them regularly and is an active father and refuses consent then that is probably it, however if he rarely sees them then the court may agree even if he refuses

whether he pays maintenance is probably not relevant but an ongoing relationship is. As all 3 have the same name the courts may prefer to keep it that way and the link to their father

you can't change a surname at school, doctor's or dentists without both parents consent you might find it easier to get consent if you offer to double barrel like smith-fluffytummy

[totorosfluffytummy]

@prh47bridge thanks I will search for a change of name deed

[totorosfluffytummy]

@TeacupDrama thanks
I think you're right, everyone will think it's unfair on the father.
Apart from myself and my daughter, we've hated having different surnames all this time. We are very close. Years ago I offered to change my surname to match the children if he wouldn't get married and he said I shouldn't. He knows how much it has upset me having a different name. I could never understand why he thought it was a bad idea to marry or change my name. He would never give reasons. Now I see it was just another of his heartless controlling ways.

I should never have used his surname. We have hardly anything to do with his side of the family which is only his mum & dad whereas my family are a big part of their lives, they are very much Fluffytummys.

[totorosfluffytummy]

Yes he has parental responsibility for my youngest 2 including my DD but not for our eldest son

[totorosfluffytummy]

Think I found the right place at last on the Hertfordshire.gov.uk site
Thanks for all replies
It's now wine o'clock

[Mummytoadiamond]

Can anyone help me in the right direction please I’m desperate to change my sons surname he’s only 5 months old I made a huge mistake giving him his surname, my ex was controlling to me he said if I didn’t give him his surname he wouldn’t pay me CSA at the time I was in a very vulnerable place so I just gave him his name to not create any more problems at home I just wanted to enjoy the moment with my son, he also said if he moved out he would take my son 3 times a week over night and he had no idea how to look after him he never fed him or held him when he was crying I did everything all my own he never got up through the night to see to him he’s been useless and a sad excuse as a man to be called a dad. My ex had to stick around because I had to have C section he cheated on me and gave me chlamydia at 35 weeks pregnant so you can imagine the type of dickhead I’m dealing with. He’s saying he doesn’t agree to the name change but has told me to do whatever. Does anyone know where I go from here I’ve looked into some things online and it’s saying if he doesn’t agree then I could apply for a court order but does anyone know what the chances would be for the courts to favour me over him? He doesn’t raise our son I do it solely on my own.

[prh47bridge]

If he is on the birth certificate you will need his agreement to change your son's surname. If he doesn't agree you can try applying for a specific issue order but it is difficult to win this kind of case. You would need to convince the court that it would be in your son's best interests to change his name.