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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to consider changing my son’s surname after I marry?

143 replies

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:34

Just looking to see if anyone has any advice or has been in a similar situation.

I fell pregnant with my son at 18. Me and his dad weren’t together long and had ended things before I found out I was pregnant. My son has my surname, not his dad’s.

Fast forward 7 years and I’m due to get married in a few months to my fiancé. We’ve since had a child together who has his surname, and I’ll be changing mine when we marry.

My son’s dad sees him every other weekend and everything is perfectly amicable, but outside of those visits he doesn’t really check in. We don’t hear from him in between, and he’s not involved in the general day-to-day things like school, clubs, appointments etc.

What’s brought this up is that my son recently asked me about surnames and said he’ll be the only one in the house with a different name?

I’m now wondering whether I should look at changing his surname so we all match as a family. My fiancé has been in his life since he was one, so he won’t remember life without him there.

Part of me worries how his biological dad would react, but then equally my son doesn’t have his surname anyway. I did think about double barrelling, but honestly both surnames together are a bit of a mouthful. I also think it’s a huge deal changing a child’s name but that could just be my anxiety!

Would it be unreasonable to consider it?

OP posts:
PrimeSeason · 13/05/2026 20:33

Keep your own surname so that your child and you have the same surname. Your child’s feelings about having the same surname as you are more important than you changing your name to your new husbands name in my opinion.

RobinEllacotStrike · 13/05/2026 20:33

What if you get divorced? Wost case scenario but it happens.

This is why I have my name, my kids have my name & if I was to marry I'd keep my name.

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:32

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/05/2026 20:29

Option 3. Inlaw’s options completely irrelevant. DS is worried about feeling left out, he doesn’t need to be and he’s well aware of his surname while his sister probably isn’t.

I think this is the best solution. I feel you start identifying with your name once you start school which she hasn’t yet. Perhaps I should just put my foot down

OP posts:
su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:31

Roads · 13/05/2026 20:30

She didn't mean new as in you hadn't been together long. Rather that he should be prioritising you, your son and your daughter than his parents opinions.

I’ve just re read - thanks.

OP posts:
Roads · 13/05/2026 20:30

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:26

I wouldn’t say new family! Step dad has raised him for 6 years. Sister is 3. Little involvement from bio dad - in fact my son doesn’t even like going to him!

She didn't mean new as in you hadn't been together long. Rather that he should be prioritising you, your son and your daughter than his parents opinions.

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/05/2026 20:29

Option 3. Inlaw’s options completely irrelevant. DS is worried about feeling left out, he doesn’t need to be and he’s well aware of his surname while his sister probably isn’t.

BlueMum16 · 13/05/2026 20:27

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:23

Appreciate the insight everyone.
So options are…

  1. Keep mine and my sons name as is (good option but obviously feel a bit odd not having my daughters last name too)
  2. double barrelling names - but this also adds to complications later on as some have mentioned having to submit previous names etc?
  3. everyone takes my last name, this would be before my daughter is enrolled in school too which is a plus.

My friend changed her DC name with school/doctors etc to her new partners/married name. It's a 'known as' so no parental permission needed.

She couldn't change passport until the DC was old enough to choose for themselves.

RoseField1 · 13/05/2026 20:26

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:23

Appreciate the insight everyone.
So options are…

  1. Keep mine and my sons name as is (good option but obviously feel a bit odd not having my daughters last name too)
  2. double barrelling names - but this also adds to complications later on as some have mentioned having to submit previous names etc?
  3. everyone takes my last name, this would be before my daughter is enrolled in school too which is a plus.

But you already don't have the same name as your DD? You made the decision to have a different name to one of your children when she was born. If your partner wouldn't change his name (doubtful if he made a fuss about DD having his name) then double barrelling yours, and both kids, seems the way to go if both fathers would agree. If not, you could double barrel just yours and have both kids' surnames in yours.

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:26

RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 20:23

Neither would I. He is not considering your son in this. His own mammy and daddy are more important to him than his new family.

I wouldn’t say new family! Step dad has raised him for 6 years. Sister is 3. Little involvement from bio dad - in fact my son doesn’t even like going to him!

OP posts:
Pamnn82 · 13/05/2026 20:24

I don’t really think it’s fair to change your son’s name. I have been in your exact position and this is what I did.. My second child also has my surname, when I married (like you to second child’s dad) I double barrelled my name using my husband’s surname as a middle name.
I’ve never liked the idea of changing my surname due to marriage and I like the fact my kids have my name. My husband doesn’t mind.

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:23

Appreciate the insight everyone.
So options are…

  1. Keep mine and my sons name as is (good option but obviously feel a bit odd not having my daughters last name too)
  2. double barrelling names - but this also adds to complications later on as some have mentioned having to submit previous names etc?
  3. everyone takes my last name, this would be before my daughter is enrolled in school too which is a plus.
OP posts:
catipuss · 13/05/2026 20:23

If your sons dad is in his life it is difficult, although if the son never had his dad's name, in some ways nothing will change. Ask his dad?

RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 20:23

ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:16

Same. I actually wouldn’t marry a man who thought this was his decision.

Neither would I. He is not considering your son in this. His own mammy and daddy are more important to him than his new family.

RoseField1 · 13/05/2026 20:20

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:44

@BeardySchnauzer Thanks for your reply. I’m aware I would need father’s permission. However, wouldn’t it be the child’s best interest vs his dad’s ego?

I wouldn't agree it was in my child's best interest to change his surname, why can't you keep your name and keep that link with your son?

MmeDubois7 · 13/05/2026 20:20

PepsiBook · 13/05/2026 20:12

I work with kids. You'd be shocked the amount of kids who have their step dads last name... To then never see him again when they split up.
It's sad.

Yip. I've taught a child who took their mum's boyfriend's name so presumably had a different name from their mum (unless the mum changed her name by deed poll to her boyfriend's, which would be odd).!

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:19

ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:19

Waiting for “tradition”.

But he didn’t bother with tradition having a child whilst unmarried!!!

True😂

OP posts:
ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:19

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:11

Agreed. I just don’t think he will go for it. Egos and all that.

Waiting for “tradition”.

But he didn’t bother with tradition having a child whilst unmarried!!!

ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:18

SunnyRedSnail · 13/05/2026 20:16

That's irrelevant.

As he is on the birth certificate, then he gets a say.

You'll have to present it in a way that he will understand his son's worry about being the only one with that surname and wanting the same surname as everyone else who he lives with.

If he says no, then he says no. And perhaps he can explain why he said no to his son?

Nothing is permanent and he could end up with the surname of someone he isn’t related to who could very well not e
be in his life in years to come?

pinkyredrose · 13/05/2026 20:17

Why don't you all go by your name?

ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:16

Roads · 13/05/2026 20:15

I'd see that as a red flag to be honest. He knows it's 2026 right?

Same. I actually wouldn’t marry a man who thought this was his decision.

SunnyRedSnail · 13/05/2026 20:16

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:44

@BeardySchnauzer Thanks for your reply. I’m aware I would need father’s permission. However, wouldn’t it be the child’s best interest vs his dad’s ego?

That's irrelevant.

As he is on the birth certificate, then he gets a say.

You'll have to present it in a way that he will understand his son's worry about being the only one with that surname and wanting the same surname as everyone else who he lives with.

If he says no, then he says no. And perhaps he can explain why he said no to his son?

Roads · 13/05/2026 20:15

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:11

Agreed. I just don’t think he will go for it. Egos and all that.

I'd see that as a red flag to be honest. He knows it's 2026 right?

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:15

Velvian · 13/05/2026 20:13

Why don't you and DD change to Mrs/Miss Yourname-Fiancename after marriage. You need to re-register DD after marriage anyway.

Re-register DD? I didn’t know this!

OP posts:
ClayPotaLot · 13/05/2026 20:15

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:44

@BeardySchnauzer Thanks for your reply. I’m aware I would need father’s permission. However, wouldn’t it be the child’s best interest vs his dad’s ego?

Your DS keeping his surname is as much about his own interests as his father's ego. It's the name he's established under and is on his birth certificate. He will lose a connection to his father that he currently has. He will have to get used to a new name as will friends (less of an issue at this age than later, but still potentially hampering relationships). For the rest of his life, when proving his identity history he will need to provide his birth certificate and his change of name deed poll (which is not as easily replaceable as his birth certificate). He'll have to provide two names on documents asking for previous identities and possibly explain why. It can be tedious, beauraucratic and increase scrutiny.

Youshouldbestrongerthanme · 13/05/2026 20:14

@su203456 What would your fiancé say if you said you were keeping your family name? Are you also changing your title?

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