How easy it it to change surname?

[pinkandyellowbutterfly]

My friend has sepperated from babies dad and is now living in another country. baby has dads surname, he sees his dad on skyppe etc. my friend doesn't mind him having the dads name but will find it increasingly hard as he goes to school, to not have the same name as her child. I thought id put the question to the experienced mumsnetters: is it possible to 'add' your surname to babys existing surname ie jon smith to jon smith jones?

Deedpoll is easy and cheap but I think she would have to ask the babies Dad if that's ok first.

if the father is named on the birth certificate im pretty sure the mothers surname can be added as long as both parents agree. it can be done at registry office just phone office up & ask about it. but im sure it can be added onto the original birth certificate. she'd have to come back to the uk tho to go registry office to do it so maybe deedpoll would be easier.

Yep with agreement there's no issue.

It's really ok having a different name to your child. Please reassure her!

Check out the UK Deed Poll website for the rules - she would need the father's consent...

www.deedpoll.org.uk/CanIChangeMyChildsName.html

I changed my name and it's very easy to do (costs about £35).

She could always consider just asking everyone to use the name rather than registering it. At work (annutiies/pensions) I've come across a few customers who are legally one name but ask to be referred to as another name and we happy set up policies like that, so can't imagine schools kicking up a fuss?

Where in the uk are you the law is different in Scotland regarding name changes .