Baby name change after 1 yr

[Weaselfoxandbadger]

We'd like to add a middle name to our child's name. Has anyone done this? Is it a massive pain in the arse or just fine and easy?

We did it with a deed poll. Very easy.

Thanks, did you add a middle name? And can I ask why? We're just doing it because we think it suits them better.
Do you know if they'll have to declare it in the future? I know people will say it's so tricky blah blah

To be honest, she’s an adult now and doesn’t use it.

It’s a bit pointless imo - you can use the middle name irl without changing it officially and they can make a decision when they’re older. I had a name change and have to declare it when renewing passport/ driving licence etc.

But it felt important to do? Does she like her name? How does it affect form filling?
Thanks

When you say declare it, do you mean you just have to put your previous name in another box? That simple? Or more to it?

Likely to be put the former name in a box - if you decide to do it by change of name deed you must ensure that you have enough copies and you may always need to show the link between the names.
Or you could register the change of name deed in simple language that way there will always be a record of it

I wouldn’t bother to be honest. Nobody uses their middle name.

We did this but changing first name. It's very easy, you just have to fill in a deed poll form and get two neighbours to sign as witnesses. The only difference in future is that instead of producing just a birth certificate, the person will need to produce both the birth certificate and the deed poll form.

Thanks for this. Can I ask about your name change? Why you did it and how it went down with others etc?
So it's not necessarily the ball ache people say it is? I'm really not sure when, if ever I've needed my birth certificate. I don't think you even do to renew passports?

If it's to add a middle name, I'm not sure why you'd bother? No one writes out their full name including middle name. It's just potential additional admin work for your child in the future.

It was fine really.

We have a difficult surname to match and we thought we'd chosen the least worst option as a name before DC was born, but I just never could get used to it. After DC was born it became clear that a different name would suit them down to the ground so then we were just stuck with having to do this name change thing.

We fretted about it and argued about it for years and then just before reception sign-up I bit the bullet and made the change. It was all easy after that.

Some of the grandparents were slightly odd about it because those particular people were slightly odd about everything so it made very little difference.

I was so relieved to get rid of the old name which was just hopelessly unsuitable. It was a massive weight off my mind and everything was easy after that.

Are you planning on changing your child’s name from Sarah Smith to Sarah Elizabeth Smith (but still known as Sarah) or to Sarah Elizabeth Smith (and known as Elizabeth)?

Because it will add a bit of hassle to their life for ever more. Not horrendous amounts - but a bit. I’m not sure it is worth it if you are just adding the Elizabeth but if you now loathe the Sarah and want to call her Lizzie then there is more point.

Although if you are going to call her Lizzie then I would probably call her Elizabeth Sarah rather than Sarah Elizabeth as being known by your middle name is also an additional hassle. (I have experience of this one.)

That depends on what you do for a job though. I’m a teacher and I’ve also lived in two different countries and I’ve had to use my birth certificate many, many times over the years.

You'll be setting them up for a lifetime of having to tick the box to say their name has changed or they were known by a previous name and having to fill it in. Honestly it's just the middle name, I really wouldn't bother