Registering baby - do we have time to change the name?

4 replies

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 22/07/2010 11:49

DS3 is Thomas Joshua Laurence but to me he is Laurence - it was the first name I picked and tried out on him but somehow Thomas wangled it's way in. I keep looking at him though and seeing Laurence - he was registered on Monday, do we have a week or anything where we can change the name with no hassle, or will he always have to out down THomas as a previous name etc?

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threeinthebed · 22/07/2010 22:35

As others have already said, you can make changes to the birth certificate within 12 months of the original registration. The new short birth certificate will have the new name only. The long birth certificate will look exactly the same as it does now, but with the new name recorded in section 17 (at the bottom) - so as MrsvWolf says, the original name will still be on there.

I don't think your DS will need to give Thomas a previous name thoughout his life. I changed DS's name and haven't had any problems with legal documents. I did however give his original name as a previous name on his passport application form to avoid any confusion, as I had to enclose his long birth certificate with it. It might be worth calling the General Registrar for clarification on this.

Your DS is so young and there's really no need to feel embarrassed about it

MrsvWoolf · 22/07/2010 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LuluF · 22/07/2010 11:59

Can you just call him Laurence anyway? I've had a few friends who are known by a mn, and there was a little boy at DD1's nursery known by his mn. Or are people calling him Thomas and you want them not to?

Colliecross · 22/07/2010 11:51

You can change it up to 12 months - you will have 2 birth certificates tho

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