Changing DS11's middle name

[tpmumtobe]

My DS11 wants to change his middle name. He's never liked it, and the new one (though a bit random and not a name in the traditional sense - think 'Ace' rather than 'Robert') really suits him and means a lot to him. I'm fully supportive of the change, DH is a bit indifferent but will humour us and sign the forms.

Two questions...

1. Is 11 old enough to make that call? It's definitely driven by him not us
2. Some other threads suggest you have to get a solicitor involved and it costs £1k+ - is that just for a surname change or for any change to a child's name? Much as I want to support him I'm not paying £1k to do it!

Oh god I wouldn't bother for a middle name! Can't her just 'retire' his existing middle name? If he desperately wants to add a new middle name he should do it when he's older.

An 11 year old is very different to even, say, a 13 year old, and the chances of him in later years saying 'what were you thinking letting me do that at age 11' are pretty high.

It seems a lot of fuss for a middle name to be honest so like the PP I genuinely wouldn't bother.

If he doesn't like his middle name he doesn't have to use it but adding a new one seems a tad pointless.

You can do an unenrolled deed poll or do an enrolled one. From this info an enrolled one costs £42.44

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

Yes good point. Problem is it's more about his love of the new name than his indifference to the existing one, if you see what I mean. I also figure if we do it and he hates it as an adult he can always change it back.

Anyone know what the pros/cons are of an enrolled vs unenrolled?

The information about enrolled deed polls on first glance doesn’t seem too bad but when I read into after getting married it’s actually a bit of a faff and requires paying a solicitor to observe you swearing oath etc.

I’ve decided to stick to unenrolled until an institution tells me it has to be enrolled.

OK good to know. I did think it would be easier to do it now, before he gets to an age where he's applying for banks and stuff, if he does want to change it later on.