16YO surname change, help pls!

[Chiefspidercatcher]

Also posted in legal, but posting here for traffic :)

My DD1 turns 16 next wk.

Her father has chosen to have no contact since she was 1YO & chose never to meet DD2 who is now 14YO.

He has PR for DD1 but not DD2.

Both my children want to change their surname to mine. They have been known at school using my surname since September (as a known-by name). This was their choice in timing to 'go public' but they actually first wanted to change name at least 8 yrs ago (but would've needed court & couldn't face) so this is not a rash decision, they have consistently wanted to make this change formally ever since.

Officially changing DD2 surname is straight forward, I can do an enrolled deed poll direct with gov records.

Changing DD1 is less straightforward & this is where I need help.

From 16YO, I know she can't do an enrolled deed name change herself but can do an unenrolled one. However I've had limited & differing advice from local solicitors I've contacted, and the advice doesn't marry up completely with the gov own website advice which I'd assume to be reliable.

Please can someone explain if she needs a name change deed or a statutory declaration.

Also, witnesses. Many solicitors I've spoken to won't touch this for a 16YO. There's 2 that potentially will. One will only witness the document if they draw it up, full cost around £300. The other was hazy, not 100% being able to do this but thought they could for £5-10 per signature. I'd made those enquiries in Dec & need to firm things up now.

I was hoping to print off the documents using the template vocab from the gov website & just pay for official signatures to keep costs down. Is this realistic? Do I need to check the credentials of whoever signs it? Does it matter if it's printed on bog standard printer paper..? As I might need to print off at the library.

When DD1 turns 18 we'll do an enrolled version so this is primarily so she can have her GCSE certificates in her chosen surname at the mo (which is really important to her) meaning we can't wait. However the deadline for the exam board to officiate the change is around 8th Feb so I need to get this right first time.

Thank you for reading & any help.

Well you have to ask the exam board which change they accept. It depends on the organisation.

I went through this with DD15 two years ago so I had to do this via a CAO instead.

It's impossible to contact the exam board. They don't give contact details on website but say to direct enquiries to your school who will liaise with them.
I did this, school said they were told a legal document covering it would be accepted. Vague. But implies a change of name deed properly done would be OK.

Difference might be because your DD was under 16. That age makes a difference in what the child can authorise themselves, hence why we've waited.

I don’t believe she needs an enrolled deed poll.

My husband and I have both (separately) changed our names, and used this document for passports etc and neither is enrolled.

We also changed a child’s name under 16 with an unenrolled deed poll - the only difference was to get the name on the passport, we needed to include a letter from both people with PR as child was under 16.

At 16, you can just do a normal online deed poll, I’m sure. Mine has been accepted for absolutely everything.

@Nina1013 when you did yours online, how does the witness part of it work?

It seems strict who can officially do it. It needs to be dkbe in person so I can't understand how any online service covers this.

Do they just send you out the documents? Interested to know the process for doing online.

My godmother did, it’s never been questioned!

This might not be helpful but I changed my name by deed poll as an adult. I did it online and witnessed by a friend. I didn't have to file the paper anywhere but it was enough to get a new passport and driving licence. Honestly I was surprised there wasn't more formality.

I also suspect the exam boards won't know or care enough to inspect your documents well. Can you do the easier option you outlined above and then file for a new passport ? once you have official documents like a passport they can't really argue what her name is.

Mine was done by my friend who was an accountant but in a personal capacity.

What's the difference between enrolled and unenrolled?

@pinkyredrose I think enrolled means there's a formal record made with official bodies & if you loose your docs you can reorder copies.

In theory you can pay a fee with unenrolled providers to keep a copy incase you need a replacement but obvs they're private businesses & could go bust / disappear in which case you'd need to pay someone rise to draw up your replacement docs from scratch.

I think... Happy to be corrected!