Would I encounter problems having a different surname to my child?

[KatyS36]

Hi all,

Last year I got married and didn't change my name. This was primarily as I didn't want to change it at work (I've published under it and am known in my field by it, plus it is quite distinctive) and I thought having two names would be difficult (e.g. having to book work travel documentation under a different name to which you are known).

I have always said that informally I am happy to use my married name and we get Christmas cards to Mr & Mrs. I regard this as our family name. I'm happy, my husband is happy (he doesn't care either way) and my in-laws are happy.

I'm pregnant with our first child. We both want the child to have my partners name only, we don't want to go double-barrelled. This will mean I have a different name to my child on all paperwork.

Is this likely to cause any problems? I don't really care if people approve or not, I'm just after knowing if this is likely to throw up things I haven't thought of.

thoughts please

I have a different name to all my 4 dd's and have had no problems, i came through passport control yesterday with no hitches.

My parents are currently holidaying in france with dd1 and she has a different surname to them and has had no problems either.

I have a differant name to my 3 and it's never been an issue in any way.

Have traveled abroad with youngest and it caused no probs.

Like portandlemon i do have to say 'This is PinkTulips, [dc][dc surnames]'s mother' when ringing the docs or schools but they cope fine, the doctors surgery has me filed under; Firstname Surname (Kids and DP's Surname) so that we all pop up in the same file on the computers which makes me giggle

I didn't change name when I got married. 8 years later changed when I was pg. DS, DH and I now all have the same surname. I have found general things (hosp appointnments, flying) easier than my friend who has a different surname to her DCs. I am still Dr MaidenName at work (like OP, well known in my profession, distinctive surname) - I think being legitimatley Dr MaidenName (I did my research and graduated before I got married) in one area of my life, made the decision to become Mrs MarriedName easier.

Passport, Driving licence etc as Mrs Married Name.

On a practical basis - MaidenName- pain in the * to spell and pronounce. MarriedName - traditional English surname that everyone can spell and nobody questions how to pronounce.

When I got married (23 years ago today), I'd decided I wanted to change my name (maiden name difficult to spell, married name well known, even to the Belgians, because of a brand name) but when I went to the bank they smiled and said "we don't do that here". I'm therefore Mme Maiden name and will be forever in Belgium because that's the way they do it. ID card, driving licence, medical card (and hence all medical interaction - doctor, dentist, hospital including births of dcs), in fact all official documentation all in my maiden name. I'm therefore a little surprised that it seems to cause problems in the UK to keep your maiden name. Surely it's easier to trace you all through your life (for official reasons) if you keep the same name?

DD is a teenager and both her and DS, have DP's surname.
We have never married. I have never had a problem, be it with the post office, the hospital or even when I took them on holiday to the states on my own. (Although, I did take the precaution of getting DP to write a letter stating that I had his permission to take them to the states)

UK immigration has also been a bit shirty with me. The last time DD and I came through without DH, the official told me to travel with a photocopy of her birth certificate to avoid future problems. So not a big issue, but worth knowing about in advance.

Hi

not written for a while, am reassured by the comments. I am about to re-marry and consequently will have a different surname to my son. Was a little nrevous about travelling abroad post wedding as will have a different name. Added complication due to him being adopted and when he was first with me i needed a letter from social services to take him to eurodisney. Very complicated.