Changing a Child’s Surname in the UK: What You Need to Know

Thinking about changing your child’s surname? Whether it’s due to a change in family circumstances, marriage, or simply a personal choice, there’s a legal process to follow. This guide explains how to change your child’s name legally in the UK, who needs to give consent, and what to do if consent can’t be obtained.

Can I Legally Change My Child’s Surname?

Yes — but only if everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the change. A surname change for a child under 16 must be made by an adult on their behalf using a Deed Poll. If the child is 16 or over, they can apply for their own Deed Poll and do not require parental consent.

What Is Parental Responsibility (PR)?

Parental responsibility means having legal rights and duties for a child. This includes decisions about education, health, religion, and name changes.

Who Has Parental Responsibility?

Mothers automatically have parental responsibility.
Fathers have PR if:
- Married to the mother at the time of birth
- Named on the birth certificate (from specific dates by region)
Step-parents, guardians, and others can acquire PR through:
- Court orders
- Adoption
- Legal agreements

If more than one person has PR, all must consent to a name change.

How to Change a Child’s Name with Everyone’s Consent

If both parents (or all parties with PR) agree, the process is straightforward:

Apply for a Child Deed Poll
Submit signed letters of consent from each parent or guardian
Update official documents such as the passport, school records, NHS records, etc.

We provide a quick online application and guide you through obtaining the correct consent letters.

Can I Change My Child’s Name Without the Father’s or Mother’s Consent?

In some cases, yes — but only with strong justification or a court order.

Situations Where You May Proceed Without Consent:

The other parent is absent and cannot be contacted
You have sole parental responsibility
Contact with the other parent is not in the child’s best interests (e.g. history of abuse)
The parent is not the biological father/mother but still holds PR

In these situations, you may need to:

Provide a signed declaration outlining the situation
Submit evidence (e.g. court orders, police records, letters showing contact attempts)
Consider applying for a Specific Issue Order from the Family Court

What if I Can’t Reach the Other Parent?

If the other parent with PR has disappeared or cannot be located:

You must demonstrate that all reasonable efforts to contact them have failed
This can include contacting their last known address, relatives, or using official channels
We can help you prepare a supporting letter for your Deed Poll application

If you’re still unable to obtain consent, a court order is the safest route to ensure the name change is legally accepted by schools, doctors, and the Passport Office. Find out more on gov.uk.

Apply For A Child Name Change In Under 5 Minutes With UK Deed Poll Service. The UK's First Deed Poll Company

What If the Child Is Non-Binary or Has Gender Dysphoria?

If your child identifies as non-binary or is undergoing gender transition, you may wish to change their name to reflect their gender identity. We can issue a gender-neutral Deed Poll and update titles (e.g., Master, Miss, Mx) for use in official records.

Updating Records After a Surname Change

Once your child’s name has been legally changed, update:

Passport and travel documents
School and medical records
Child Benefit and HMRC
Bank accounts and savings
NHS records

You’ll need to provide the Deed Poll and letters of consent (if applicable) to each organisation.

Whatever your situation, our trusted online Deed Poll service is here to help make your child’s name change in the UK simple, legal, and stress-free — every step of the way.