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Changing your child's name factsheet

If two or more people have Parental Responsibility (generally this would be you and the other parent), one of them can change the child's name, as long as the others agree. This agreement does not need to be in writing unless there is a Residence Order (which states where and with whom a child will live) in place. In this case, everyone who has Parental Responsibility must give written permission before the name can be changed. If there is a court order in place stopping a future change to the child's name, or if someone else with Parental Responsibility objects, you can apply to the court for a Specific Issue Order to make the change. A Specific Issue Order is a court order that, if granted, allows one parent to make decisions on a particular matter.

If an unmarried father wants his surname to be given to the child (or he objects to the name the child is using), he can also apply to the court for a Prohibited Steps Order or a Specific Issue Order, which can prevent the change from taking place. The court would have to be persuaded that a change of name would be in the child's best interest. In practice, the courts are reluctant to agree to a child's name being changed, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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