Changing a child's name

[lorraineliyanage]

Is it possible to alter a child's name after registering the birth? We want to add a middle name for our daughter who is not yet 1 year old. Southwark's web site says you can re-register the name if you get married after the birth, or wish to add the father's details at a later date, but no mention of anything else.

[mrs.lotte]

There was an article on this in the family section of the saturday Guardian - i think last week (but may have been week before)- maybe still available online - seem to recall it had some practical advice.

[mumum]

You have to contact the identity and passport service office in writing, but their number is 01514714481, general register office, po box 476, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2WJ.

Prepare yourself for a nightmare that will take a long time. On our daughters birth certificate, my surname was spelled wrong (in 3 different ways in the long version of the birth certificate!) and they made on of her middle names a surname. I was too tired to notice when I was in the office with my 6 week old screaming child on my own, and only noticed after the paper was handed to me (still in the office) but then they wouldn't change it there and then for me, and I have had to spend about a year getting it fixed. You may also need a solicitor to sign a form. You should be able to change your childs name, lots of people change their names.

[Belle77]

you can, before 12 months. details should be on the back of her original short birth certificate I think. B

[lorraineliyanage]

thanks belle77, i'll check the certificate now. i had heard it was OK before 12 months but very difficult after then

[Citrovie]

If it's before 12 months you shouldn't have to give a reason or need a solicitor. You could have baptised your child and given her a Christian name a month ago which is perfectly legal and has nothing to do with you getting married. If you call the appointments line at the register office they should be able to confirm this. If they say it's not possible just repeat that she's under 12 months old and that your friend had it done a few months ago under the same circumstances and at the same register office. This may motivate them to ask the manager if they seem reluctant to believe you.

When you go, make sure you have the correct form and double, no, triple check that you filled it in correctly. The dad has to sign the form as well and I think you have to bring a copy of his passport if he's not coming along (it'll be easier if he does come). Also make sure to bring the old birth certificate. By the way, it doesn't matter that she already has a passport without the new middle name in it - on plane tickets it only mentions the first name anyway (I actually called the passport office to ask and they said it could wait until she's due her new passport at age 5).

Go for it! :)

[lorraineliyanage]

Hi Citrovie - you are right, the name change is possible within the first year by filling in a simple form. The Registry Office will issue a new birth certificate. However, in our case it is not possible as we have had her baptised, so once this has been done, the name on the baptism certificate is final and cannot be altered. Oh well!

[Mamma Mia]

We changed the spelling of my son's name within first 12 months. The full (long) certificate shows the original spelling with the new spelling in the "Given Name" section at the bottom of the certificate but the short certificate only shows the revised spelling on the certiticate.