Deed poll help - changing child's surname

[rach971]

I'm getting myself all confused with deed polls.

My daughters dad walked out on us, isn't really involved and so I want to change her surname from his, to mine. I should add I know he has to sign the papers, he's said he will.

Enrolled and unenrolled - is there a difference? Is one better than another? I've heard doing it unenrolled is absolutely fine?

Will changing her surname cause problems in the future? I've heard it causing problems getting passports, DBS checks etc for some people.

Is there anywhere best to get the forms from? The gov.uk forms needs a solicitor signature and cost over £40. There's a deedpollofficeuk website that I think charges around £18 and doesn't show you the forms, just says they'll be sent in the post.

I just want to change it and get it done but I'm confusing myself with it all. Thanks in advance for any help

I used the deed poll office for mine, I think, price sounds about accurate. You'll fill in a form online and they'll send you certificates that need signing and witnessing, that's it.

Take the signed deed poll certificate to the GP and school and ask to change your daughter's surname.

When you apply for a new child's passport/name change passport, you'll need to include original signed deed poll and a letter from both school and GP to confirm they are using this new name.

I would advise paying for 2/3 copies of deed poll, just in case!

I think the advantage of the enrolled version is that they are enrolled at the Royal Courts of Justice, so if you ever lose the original or need an extra certified copy, that can be provided easily as they are on a central register.

If you get an unenrolled version i.e. do it yourself or via a solicitor, they are not stored centrally. People that lose those often have to get a brand new deed poll done if they can't find it. Your ex might not be so accommodating second time round, so personally I would pay the extra for the enrolled version.

Was a few years ago but we just used a website where you gave the information they sent them to you and you had to get a professional to sign them (we asked a teacher).when my son applies for anything official he just sends his birth certificate and deed poll as proof of identity, never had any issues.

Thank you, that's really helpful. Was it just the signatures of yourselves and a witness that you needed? No solicitor or anything?

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. It's just for the enrolled one it seemed that you need a solicitor to sign the papers and I'm not sure how all that works. I assume I'd have to pay the solicitor and then what kind of solicitor would I need. Seems like so much faff 🙈

Brilliant, thank you

You're welcome 😊a colleague at the time kindly witnessed ours, and we've had no problems with official channels since - passports, international travel, exam papers, student loans etc all in 'new' name with no drama so far. Best of luck to you, it was a happy day for us all to see the surnames as we wanted them.

We printed ours off ourselves, had them signed by 2 witnesses (did a few copies just in case). Didn't cost a penny.

We've applied for (between us) driving licences, DBS checks, jobs, bank accounts, changed name on bills and UC credit account.

Thank you. Stupid question but once you've just printed them off, what address do you post them to?

None. They are kept in a folder and shown if needed. Eg, sent off with birth certificate when applying for driving license.