How to Change Your Child's Name
Changing your child's name by deed poll in the United Kingdom is straightforward, but requires consent from everyone with parental responsibility.
This guide explains who needs to agree, how the process works, and what you need to do to make your child's name change official.
A deed poll is how you officially change your child's name in England and Wales. The requirements depend on your child's age.
When You Need a Deed Poll For Your Child
Children Under 16
You'll need a deed poll if your child is under 16 and you want to change their first name, middle name, or surname. A parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf.
Babies Under 12 Months
If your baby is under 12 months old, you may be able to re-register their birth instead of using a deed poll. Re-registration updates the birth certificate itself, which is simpler than carrying two documents. However, this is only available in specific circumstances and within the first year. After 12 months, you'll need a deed poll.
Find out about
changing a baby's name for full details on re-registration.
Children Aged 16-17
At 16, your child can apply for their own deed poll without parental consent. The process is the same as for adults. Some organisations may still request confirmation from parents, but legally your child doesn't require your consent.
Choosing Your Child's New Name
You can choose almost any first name, middle name, or surname for your child. The standard naming restrictions apply: no numbers or symbols except hyphens and apostrophes, nothing offensive, and nothing intended to mislead or impersonate someone else.
Agreeing to Your Child's Name Change
In most situations, everyone with parental responsibility must agree to your child's name change.
Who Has Parental Responsibility
Mothers automatically have parental responsibility from birth.
Fathers have parental responsibility if they're married to the mother at the time of birth, or if their name appears on the birth certificate for births registered after December 2003.
Fathers can also gain parental responsibility through a formal agreement with the mother or through a court order.
Others can have parental responsibility if they've legally adopted the child, been appointed as a guardian, or have a court order granting them this responsibility.
Find out more about
parental responsibility and consent requirements.
Consent Requirements
If both parents have parental responsibility, both must consent. This applies even if you're separated, divorced, or if your child lives primarily with one parent.
If only one parent has parental responsibility (most commonly when the father isn't named on an older birth certificate, or when one parent has died), only that parent needs to consent.
When more than two people have parental responsibility, such as both parents and a step-parent, all of them must agree.
When You Can Change Your Child's Name Without Full Consent
There are limited circumstances where you can proceed without everyone's consent. If someone has lost parental responsibility through a court order, you don't need their agreement. If you've adopted your child, check your adoption order to see whether you need consent from birth parents.
If another parent refuses to consent, you have three options: try to reach an agreement through discussion or mediation, apply to court for permission to change the name, or wait until your child turns 16 and can apply themselves.
Learn about
changing your child's name without the other parent's consent.
Getting Your Child's Deed Poll
1. Ensure You Have Consent
Before applying, make sure everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the name change. You'll all need to sign the deed poll document.
2. Apply for the Deed Poll
Apply online with Deedly. Provide your child's current name and their new name. Our team will prepare the deed poll and send it to your address.
3. Sign and Witness
Everyone with parental responsibility must sign the deed poll. Each signature needs two independent witnesses present. The witnesses must be over 18, not related to any of you, and not living at your address.
Once properly signed and witnessed, the deed poll becomes legally binding and your child's name is officially changed.
Updating Documents and Records
Use the deed poll to update your child's records with their school, GP, the passport office if they have a passport, and any other organisations.
Most organisations need to see the original deed poll or a certified copy. Ordering multiple original copies when you apply makes this process much faster, as you can update several organisations simultaneously.
Find out about
updating your child's documents for detailed guidance on each organisation.
Special Cases
Step-Parents
Being married to your child's parent doesn't automatically give you parental responsibility or the right to change your child's name. You need consent from everyone who does have parental responsibility, or you must obtain parental responsibility yourself first.
If Parents Disagree
When parents can't agree, the only options are mediation, court proceedings, or waiting until the child is old enough to decide independently. Courts consider what's in the child's best interests and will hear both parents' reasons before making a decision.
If the Other Parent Cannot Be Located
If you cannot find the other parent to obtain their consent, you cannot proceed with a deed poll on your own. You'll need to either make reasonable efforts to locate them and document these attempts, or apply to court for permission to change the name without their consent. The court will expect evidence that you've genuinely tried to contact them before granting permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
A child deed poll from Deedly costs £20, with free delivery.
Do both parents need to sign the deed poll?
If both parents have parental responsibility, yes. Their signatures on the deed poll demonstrate their consent.
Can I change my child's birth certificate?
No. The birth certificate remains a historical record. You'll use the birth certificate and deed poll together when proving your child's identity, which all organisations accept as normal.
How many copies of my child's deed poll should I order?
We recommend ordering 6-8 additional copies. This allows you to update multiple organisations at once rather than waiting for each to return your deed poll. Since the deed poll serves as permanent proof of your child's name change, it's worth keeping spare copies in case any get lost or damaged over time.
Will organisations accept my child's deed poll?
Yes. All UK organisations are required to accept deed polls for children, just as they do for adults. We guarantee acceptance or your money back.
How long does it take?
Your child's deed poll arrives within a few days after applying. Once everyone with parental responsibility has signed it with witnesses, the name change is legally effective immediately.
Apply for Your Child's Deed Poll
Changing your child's name requires proper consent, but once you have agreement from everyone with parental responsibility, the process is simple.
Apply online with Deedly and we'll prepare your child's deed poll and send it to your door.
