Changing a child's surname question

[chopstheduck]

Dh and I got married recently. We've been together since dd was 2 and she hasn't seen her birth father since she was 4, she is 9 now. She knows dh isn't her biological father, but is her dad in every other sense.

She has asked if she can change her surname to dh's name. Problem is that we don't have any contact with her father, and I think he would be unlikely to agree even if we did contact him. I suggested to her that we could find out if she could double barrel it.

Do I need her father's permission to do this?

afaik you don't need father's permission...

you can change by deed poll online i think

I was always known by my step fathers name rather than it being changed officially. It was a real pain when I started university so I think it's wise to do it officially. Be prepared that she may decide to change it back again later in life (or not as the case may be) I felt my identity had been changed against my will so was keen to change it back.

If her father has parental responsibility then you have to have his permission. If not then you are free to change it without.

Linky

Thats where I changed my name (back to maiden name) and DD. Found the whole thing very straight forward

Were you married to her father, or has he subsequently acquired parental responsiblity? If not then it would be relatively easy to change her name.

If her father has parental responsibility it's more complicated, although you may be able to get a court order to dispense with his consent (wouldn't count on it, though).

(the PR thing because she was born before Dec 2003 -- if born afterwards then just being on the birth certificate would have given him PR)

BIG thankyou for this post, i just looked at the site and realised i legally can (providing they accept my evidence etc) change my sons name through deedpoll!!!!! he has his dads surname btu his dad has nothing to do with him and abused him when he was a baby and using that i can change his name as i have all the police incident numbers etc and social services reports of it etc. its made my day as it gets me so down that my violent controlling ex can still have this hold over us by refusing my son has his name changed yet wont see him, pay for him or acknowledge his existance!! we will be able to put it all that bit more behind us and my ds will not one day ask me why he has a different surname etc and i can explain in my own time without lying to him - how do you tell your child that their father wanted to kill them, i can just not tell him anything til i choose what to say when he understands (if ever - he is autistic and i truely do not know if he will ever really get it!) one big thing off my mind and made my evening, thanks to everyone but mainly the person who posted the link