How easy is it to change DD's surname?

[jivegirl]

Hi all,

When I was pregnant with DD1 I always planned on giving her DPs surname. I just assumed one day we'd get married, and I didn't think much more about it.

Now DP tells me he's not bothered about getting married (and that's a whole new topic!) and I'm getting increasingly unhappy having a different surname to my DD (especially as his surname is quite common and mine is not).

We also have a brand new shiny DD, and have yet to register her name. DP says he is happy for her to have my surname, but that means we will have two DC with different surnames - don't fancy that!

So the compromise could be to double-barrel, so whereas my DD is currently "Hepzibah Jane Baker Smith" (that's not her real name, btw) we could change it to "Hepzibah Jane Smith Fotheringaye" instead. Meaning my DPs surname becomes the first bit of the double barrel and my surname is the last.

Does anyone know if this is straightforward?

Thanks in advance

[giddykipper]

It is pretty straightforward - we did it for DSD who was taking DPs name.

There's a standard form of wording (the deed poll) which you can buy online (I'll see if I can find a link), you print it out, sign it as her parents, then start using her new name. That's it. You need to keep the signed deed poll to show to school for example or if you want to change her passport.

It's easier than you might think.

[giddykipper]

This is the website we used

[youcannotbeserious]

With your DP's consent, it's totally straightforward.

Good luck!

[Lazza03]

I changed my name by deed poll. Did it online, easy, had to get 2 lawyers to sign. Now my name has my maiden name and married name but not hyphenated so my maiden name is a middle name, that's another compromise if you don't fancy double barrelled. My daughter's is the same.

[jivegirl]

Thanks for the info. Lazza, I want to use DPs name as a middle name as you have done, although I am not sure DP will agree. Do you have to be explicit that the last two names are to be used double-barrelled as a surname?

Also, am I right in thinking that DD1's birth certificate won't be changed?

Although I feel strongly that I want my DC to have my name, I feel that I am somehow changing DD1s identity by doing this. A bit frustrated that DP and I didn't have a full and frank discussion on the subject in the first place

[Lazza03]

I don't believe the birth certificate can be changed, you will just have a deed poll certificate aswell.

I didn't want to go for a double barrel but I guess you would have to specify. I actually use both names, I use my maiden name for work and my married name for family stuff. My maiden name is unusual and can be a girls name too, so it makes a nice middle name for DD. It gives her the choice to use either when she's older.

I know a few people who have done the same as me: one is an author and his name is double (but not with a hyphen) on all his books.

I guess you just need to discuss it with DP.