Applying for child’s first passport - my maiden name on birth certificate

[BibblySquibbly]

Ive tried finding the information on the internet, but keep reading conflicting things.

I’m applying for my child’s first passport but my maiden name is on my child’s birth certificate. I’m now married to my child’s father and my own passport is in my married name. I know I will have to send a copy of my marriage certificate, but are there any other documents they require? Will this complicate things? Has anyone been in this position? I don’t want to do the application then find it rejected!

Thanks.

When parents marry after the birth of a child they should go to registrar to get birth certificate reissued as child is now a child of marriage( v. Old fashioned) but as part of process can easily change surname to married name.

Is this something that HAS to be done? I didn’t know this!

Your maiden name is always on the birth certificate, regardless of if you are married or not. So I dont see it being a problem as long as you also send marriage certificate. They will see when the BC was issued and then the MC at a later date.

This doesn't HAVE to be done. I didn't and applying for kids first passports was very easy just sent marriage licence along with applications. We didn't change the birth certificate because I don't agree with it. A birth certificate should be an accurate record of birth and I wasn't married to their dad when they were born.

No you don't have to do this. I didn't and getting their first passports was easy, just send marriage licence with applications, job done.

Phew!

I googled it and the AI overview was starting to worry me that I had missed doing something vital.

It is mandatory - I remember the registrar when we registered DDs birth telling us really firmly that we must do it if we got married. But I don't think it's actually ever enforced - and even if it is the fine is something like £2!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-re-register-a-childs-birth-following-marriage-of-natural-parents

@GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut The link you have used says:

If the parents have married or formed a civil partnership after the child was born, they are required to re-register the birth to have the natural father’s details added to the birth record.

That's not relevant to changing the mother's maiden name.

Yes, I just googled and it seems to say that it’s only absolutely necessary if the father isn’t on the birth certificate or if the child also took mother’s maiden name and needs to change to married name, but my child already had DHs surname.

If DC already has his father’s surname on the birth certificate then it’s fine.

We weren’t married when DC1 was born 28 years ago & he’s never had any issue getting a passport or anything else.

Above what's been quoted by PP it says:
Application to re-register a birth following marriage or civil partnership of natural parents
You must use form LA1 to apply to re-register a child’s birth following the marriage or civil partnership of natural parents.

This is the actual law: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/31/section/9

It's something legal to do with inheritance, legitimacy etc as well I think - if you go on to have children after marriage, any born before may be seen as having a different status if there are any future legal issues.

So likely not a massive issue for passport etc but something to do at some point to make sure any legal loose ends are tied up.

I don’t quite understand what I read. Does it mean I do HAVE TO re-register?

That makes sense, thanks.

So the birth certificate won’t be considered invalid for the passport application?

Not for getting a passport. It's all to to do with legitimacy which is only ever an issue when it comes to inheritance type things. BUT even if it did become an issue (which is very unlikely unless there was no will and legitimate children argue illegitimate child shouldn't inherit) it's easily sorted by the people involved providing a copy of the birth certificate and marriage licence.

I mean, yes, it is a requirement under the legislation, but I don't think anyone cross references the birth and marriage records so it's unlikely you'd be 'found out' if you didn't. It just may have some kind of legal implication in some (probably fairly obscure) situations.

Thanks everyone, Hopefully it will be straightforward 🤞