Children with mother's surname

[rothbard]

Hi - my wife and I had a baby last month and I have decided it would be a good idea for him to have my wife's surname rather than mine. I am not very attached to my surname. It's a rather long Italian one that needs to be spelt all the time, and I think it would be easier for him to have a simpler one.

Are there any situations in which the children having the mother's surname might cause difficulties later on?

Thanks.

It's personal preference, what ever you decide to do is ok.

Are you Italian or do you qualify for Italian citizenship? If so and you would want a European passport for the kids you may encounter more red tape. Also in the event that you need to travel without your DP you will need to bring birth certificates and possibly even a letter of permission from the mother depending on the location.

No more difficulties than if the situation were reversed ie its more likely to get stopped at passport control if the two of you are travelling alone although this doesn't happen very often you can just take the birth certificate with you. If you aren't attached to your own surname why not change your name to match your wife's.

Men who travel with ‘unrelated’ children are often more likely to be stopped and questioned than women.

Thanks for your replies. We'll probably be getting the baby an Italian passport at some point, however we can't do that now since we don't have a spare marriage certificate (we got married in the US). It's possible that his Italian passport will be issued under my surname, regardless of my preference in the matter.

It's unlikely that I would ever travel alone with the child, at least until he's several years older.

If I went 20 years back in time I would probably change my surname to my wife's, however it's too late now, since I have already built a career on this name, including several publications. If I were a woman it would be different, however people aren't used to men changing their surnames.

If I went 20 years back in time I would probably change my surname to my wife's, however it's too late now, since I have already built a career on this name, including several publications. If I were a woman it would be different, however people aren't used to men changing their surnames.

Beautiful example of #EverydaySexism