Parental responsibility relinquished

[amyson]

My ex has not had anything to do with our little boy since shortly after his birth, he is now 5 and does not even know his father exists.

My ex signed a letter in 2012 relinquishing his parental responsibility - saying that he did not want any input to our son's life.

Although the document was not witnessed or undertaken under legal guidance, can I use this as evidence to remove my his surname from my son's name through dead poll or do i need to chase him down for him to fill out the paperwork?

Even though a parent may be absent they may change their mind later. A father who was married when a child was born automatically and I don't think it can be removed. In any event Parental Responsibility can only be removed by court order and it's very rare.

Sorry, I forgot to say you need consent from all those with PR or permission from a court to change a child's name.