'surname at birth' question for drivers license

[UnderTheNameOfSanders]

A bit of a niche question, but maybe someone can help as DVLA are uncontactable.

Where it asks for surname at birth when applying for provisional drivers license, do we need to give the birth surname, or is adopted surname sufficient?

If this was a random form I wouldn't worry, but it is a government one...

To be honest, I don't know the answer but you could take it as 'surname on birth certificate' which would be the new one issued when your DC was adopted. I suspect it's just a way of avoiding the phrase 'maiden name'.

They use maiden name when asking for your 'mother's maiden name'.

I guess the surname on birth certificate will do fine, and as they have a replacement birth certificate then we're good to go. Just would be good to have it covered in the guidance (or for any of their helpline methods to actually work).

From personal experience I've always put the name that is on my birth certificate (or adoption certificate) as that is legally your name. It is very confusing though!

I remember when DD1 needed a DBS. iirc she didn't need to put previous surnames as was under 10 when adopted, but if she had been over 10 when adopted she would have had to include them.
However when we needed a passport for her, because she had previously had one in old name we had to include that.

We were told by the court that our daughters life officially began on her adoption day and that there were no previous names. Her past identity never happened.