Hi all - first post but have lurked for years.
Not sure if this is the correct forum but will go ahead anyway.
Does anyone here have experience of changing a surname by deed poll?
My DD is 5. Her biological father left us when she was 9 months old. He saw her sporadically for 6 weeks when she was about 18 months old and has not seen her since. He has never paid maintenance, and never acknowledges he existence, let alone birthdays and Christmases. He has a history of mental health problems and violence. The relationship was abusive.
My DD was registered at birth with my surname only and has been known by this name ever since.
Me and my OH (we've been together a couple of years) have decided to get married this summer. My DD views him as her Dad. My DD has Aspergers and really needs things laid out in concrete terms. She expresses a massive desire to change her surname to my OHs, even though we haven't yet told her we're getting married.
I don't know where her biological father is, but could probably do some digging and find out. I really don't want to go down this route. He has PR as he is on the Birth Certificate. Is a Deed Poll and supporting statement enough proof of a change without the other parents consent?
Does anyone have experience of this? I'm finding it very difficult to get info as DD has had my name from birth.
Thanks! Sorry for the length!