Page 2 | Hyphenated surnames

SpinningFloppa · 2023-03-14T17:42:51+00:00

Not baby names sorry but didn’t know where else to post, does anyone know how you go about legally adding a hyphen to a surname?

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olderthanyouthink · 14/03/2023 19:43

My kids have a hyphenated surname, at nursery DD was Firstname MySurname on her peg and Firstname DPSurname on the app 🙄, DS was called as Firstname DPSurname at the doctors last week and then they wonder why they can't find his record 🙄🙄🙄

It might help but it might not. Also depends on the names I supposed, my surname could be a first/middle name

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 14/03/2023 19:01

TBH OP in your position I would just start using a hyphen every time you fill their name in on a form. You will only be challenged if you attempt this on a legal document such as a passport - in most other settings (school, doctors etc) it will be accepted without question as people generally expect double-barrelled names to be hyphenated. The double-barrelled name can appear on a passport etc without a hyphen. Once the child is 18 they can apply for a deed poll in their own right to add the hyphen legally. Going to court seems like a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

Hyphens are a matter of style rather than legality anyway. My name is no less legally double-barrelled for not having a hyphen.

Original poster

SpinningFloppa · 14/03/2023 18:23

Twoinapod · 14/03/2023 18:21

If he is named on the birth certificate then you need the father’s permission for any sort of change to the name. If he does not consent then you will have to go through the courts. I think there’s probably as much chance of them declining it as agreeing to it as it’s just a hyphen and they may think you’re just trying to be petty

Even if no one uses or acknowledges mine at all? I was told it appears as a middle name when people read it which is why it isn’t used I’ve heard of people getting their entire name added when it’s only their exes so seems odd they would refuse a simple hyphen when it’s a case of no one will use my surname.

OP posts:

Twoinapod · 14/03/2023 18:21

If he is named on the birth certificate then you need the father’s permission for any sort of change to the name. If he does not consent then you will have to go through the courts. I think there’s probably as much chance of them declining it as agreeing to it as it’s just a hyphen and they may think you’re just trying to be petty

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 14/03/2023 18:08

I’ve lived with it all my life and no-one has ever tried to drop one of my names. 🤷🏻‍♀️

However if it is really important to you and you can afford the fees then yes, you could go to court. Is the father likely to block the request or is he not involved?

Original poster

SpinningFloppa · 14/03/2023 18:05

It makes a lot of difference nowhere uses mine mine is dropped I was told it will appear to be a middle name so I want it legally recognised as right now it isn’t. courts would easily agree to a hyphen surely? Just wasn’t sure if court was needed for the sake of a hyphen

OP posts:

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 14/03/2023 18:02

Legally changing a child's surname requires a deed poll. If both parents have PR then both have to consent. You would have to go to court to get a legal change without the other parent's consent.

FWIW I have a double-barrelled surname with no hyphen and it makes no difference, except that people often assume it should have one and add it in. Can you just start using a hyphen for school etc?

Original poster

SpinningFloppa · 14/03/2023 17:59

Oh sorry I should have said. Child and don’t have the fathers permission. (She has two surnames not hyphen I want one added)

OP posts:

DuchessOfSausage · 14/03/2023 17:55

Are you adding it to your name or to a child's?
www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll
You can also change your name by Statutory Declaration e.g. on Marriage