Altering son's surname

[sherrardk]

I have a friend who wants to alter her son's surname (he has her surname and she wants to add her partner's surname to the beginning of it so that both of her children have the same surname). Her son's father is named on the birth certificate but the son does not have his surname, just her's. How would she go about doing this? Thanks (the dad is a real piece of work and will prove to be as awkward as possible at every turn.)

[woofgang]

All she has to do is start calling her son by the new name, assuming her son is happy with this....simples.

[sherrardk]

Thanks for the quick reply - how will this affect official documentation, etc in the future. He is only six at the moment but what about passports, exam certificates, etc? Thanks again.

[sherrardk]

Oh, and does she need any agreement from the boy's father to do this?

[cazzz1975]

Im glad the real dads name is on the certificate! from a geneological aspect it can become very confusing when children are given surnames of subsequent partners

[cazzz1975]

according to this site, you will need permission

http://www.childrensl...changemychildssurname

[woofgang]

No you don't need anyone's agreement except your son's....that's the beauty of doing it informally. It's not usually a problem throughout life...people can have a name they are "known as" so long as it's not for illegal purposes

[cazzz1975]

I would imagine his real name would be needed for official documentation unless you change his surname officially

[Barmaid]

Any and all official documents (passport etc) will have to stay in the original name. She will need the father's permission for an official change of surname (which if not forthcoming may need an application to the Court).

[woofgang]

When he is older, if her son wants to keep the name and have it on forms etcetera then you can do the deed poll bit, but a parent can call the child anything provided it's not abusive and the child agrees and in this case the new partner agrees as well.

[woofgang]

Again thats why I suggest the informal route.....

[ummmm]

I know quite a few people that are known by names not on their birth certificate. Most official form ask if you've ever been known by any other name.

[craft1948]

I don't see why she'd need the father's permission for a change of name, if he's never been known by his father's name.......

[woofgang]

craft, it's what the law says, if you want to do the formal deed poll thing. As the OP says that Dad is likely to kick off, I suggested doing it informally, also whatever Dad is like, Son might want to be called something different when he is an adult. Doing it informally keeps his options open.

[meglet]

My Mum changed my name informally when I was 3 or 4 as she met a new partner (who she is finally marrying after 34 years together this year!). It was not a problem all through growing up (although in those days I was probably on my Mum's passport for travelling) but I did need to show my birth certificate when I took my GCSEs and at that point had the choice to keep my "known as" name or revert to my birth name. As it happens I reverted to my birth name.