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Original poster

Dd wants to change her name before her gcses

34 replies

fitforflighting · 10/01/2016 17:41

So that her chosen surname is on her gcse certificates.
We have very little contact with exh. She hasn't seen him in years but he would refuse her.
She would turn 16 in March. Would that be in enough time before they subject them for gcse exams? Not sure how long in advance they inform the board who I taking the exams or how it works.

OP posts:
Penfold007 · 10/01/2016 19:15

I honestly believe that you have to wait until your an 'adult' and no longer a 'minor' if you don't have both parents' permission www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/change-a-childs-name unless you go the court order route.

If I've made a mistake I'm really sorry.

changename54 · 10/01/2016 18:12

It seems that, if you are in the UK, you can change your name by deed poll if you are over 18. If you are under 18, you have to have the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility (does her father have this?) or with the consent of the court.

www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/change-a-childs-name

I imagine a court would look favourably on a request to change the surname of a 16 year old who has had no contact with her father in years, but whether there is the time to do it before the application for her GCSEs goes in is another matter, which is why you need to speak to the Examinations Officer.

My DS has always been known by an abbreviation of his middle name. So let's say he's called David Peter Richard Smith but he's always been known as Pete Smith. Even though all his school records have him down as Pete Smith, the school was obliged to register him for his GCSEs as David Smith - a name he has never used! We had to push hard to get it re-registered and even then, the best we could agree was D. Peter R. Smith. It was simply impossible to get his "known by" name of Pete on the certificates, because that is not his legal name.

Original poster
fitforflighting · 10/01/2016 17:54

*name.
Xpost
Really Penfold? We have been told she can apply for her own deed poll at 16.

OP posts:
VeraClaythorne · 10/01/2016 17:53

I don't know if it does include exam entries. In my experience (which is only primary so I'm prepared to admit I'm wrong) pupils who go by another name have to use their official name on exam papers.

Original poster
fitforflighting · 10/01/2016 17:53

Thank you.
I know the legal process. As long as she is 16 she can just do it herself without permission.
I just needed to know when they entered. Thanks very much I will ask examination officer.

She doesn't want a nan she hates on certificates she has to have for life :(

OP posts:
Penfold007 · 10/01/2016 17:50

There is no legal way your daughter can change her name before she is 18. However, she can start to use her chosen name whenever she wants so long as it isn't for fraudulent reasons. You and she need to formally tell the school in writing that as of (insert date) your daughter wishes to be known as such a name and this includes exam entries.

BackforGood · 10/01/2016 17:49

x-post! Smile

BackforGood · 10/01/2016 17:49

I don't know anything about the legal process, but it would be worth talking to the school's exams officer to see if she can have her chosen name on her certificate whether or not it has all gone through at that time?
My understanding is you can use whatever name you like in your life as long as "there is no intent to deceive"

changename54 · 10/01/2016 17:49

You need to speak to the Examinations Officer at her school, because they may be in the process of entering her for the exams now. So you'll need to let him/her know that you are considering this.

We had a similar issue with names on GCSE certificates and it was an almighty struggle to get the name we wanted.