Requirements and Parental Consent

Children under 16 cannot change their own name. A parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf using a deed poll.

Basic Requirements

To change a child's name by deed poll:

  • The child must be under 16 years old
  • The child must live in England or Wales
  • All people with parental responsibility must normally consent to the change

Children aged 16 or over can change their own name without parental consent.

Parental Responsibility

Parental responsibility is the legal right to make decisions about a child's upbringing. This includes changing their name.

Who Has Parental Responsibility

Mothers always have parental responsibility from birth.

Fathers have parental responsibility if they:

  • Are married to the mother at the time of birth
  • Are named on the birth certificate (for births registered after December 2003)
  • Have a parental responsibility agreement with the mother
  • Have a parental responsibility order from a court

Others may have parental responsibility if they:

  • Have legally adopted the child
  • Have been appointed as the child's guardian
  • Have a court order granting parental responsibility

Finding Out Who Has Parental Responsibility

If you are unsure who has parental responsibility for a child, check:

  • The child's birth certificate
  • Any court orders relating to the child
  • Adoption papers
  • Legal agreements about the child

You can also contact a solicitor for advice about parental responsibility.

Consent Requirements

In most cases, everyone with parental responsibility must consent to the child's name change.

Both Parents Have Parental Responsibility

If both parents have parental responsibility, both must normally consent to the name change. This applies even if:

  • The parents are separated or divorced
  • The child lives with only one parent
  • One parent has limited contact with the child

One Parent Has Parental Responsibility

If only one parent has parental responsibility, only that parent needs to consent. This is most common when:

  • The father is not named on the birth certificate (for older births)
  • One parent has died
  • Parental responsibility has been removed by a court

Multiple People Have Parental Responsibility

If more than two people have parental responsibility (for example, both parents and a step-parent), all of them must normally consent.

When You Can Change a Child's Name Without Consent

There are limited circumstances where you can change a child's name without consent from everyone with parental responsibility.

Court Order

You can apply to a court for permission to change a child's name without consent from the other parent. The court will consider:

  • What is in the child's best interests
  • The reasons for the name change
  • The reasons for the other parent's objection
  • The child's wishes (depending on age and understanding)

Getting a court order can be time-consuming and expensive. You will need legal advice.

Special Guardianship or Adoption

If you have adopted a child or have a special guardianship order, you may be able to change the child's name without consent from birth parents. Check your court order or speak to a solicitor.

When Parental Responsibility Has Been Lost

If someone has lost parental responsibility through a court order, you do not need their consent.

What If Someone Refuses Consent

If someone with parental responsibility refuses to consent, you cannot change the child's name by deed poll without their agreement or a court order.


You have three options:

  • Try to reach an agreement through discussion or mediation
  • Apply to a court for permission to change the name
  • Wait until the child is 16 and can change their own name


You can read our full article on changing your child's name without the other parent's consent.

Providing Evidence of Consent

If Both Parents Have Parental Responsibility

Both parents must sign the deed poll. Their signatures on the document show they both consent.

If Only One Parent Has Parental Responsibility

Only that parent signs the deed poll.

When Organisations Request Proof

When you use the deed poll to update your child's records, some organisations may ask for evidence of consent.


If both parents have parental responsibility but only one parent signed the deed poll, you may be asked to provide:

  • A signed letter from the other parent confirming consent
  • Court orders relating to parental responsibility
  • Evidence that consent was not required (such as a death certificate)

It is your responsibility to ensure you have proper consent before applying for the deed poll.

Step-Parents and Name Changes

Step-parents do not automatically have parental responsibility. If you are a step-parent and want to change your step-child's name:

  • You need consent from everyone who has parental responsibility
  • Or you need to apply for parental responsibility yourself first
  • Or you need a court order

Simply being married to the child's parent does not give you the right to change the child's name.

Adopted Children

If you have adopted a child, your adoption order gave you parental responsibility. The birth parents usually lose parental responsibility when a child is adopted.



Check your adoption order to confirm whether you need consent from anyone else to change the child's name.

Children Aged 16-17

Children aged 16 or over can change their own name without parental consent. They apply for their own deed poll as an adult would.


If a 16 or 17 year old wants to change their name against their parents' wishes, they have the legal right to do so.

After Getting Consent

Once you have consent from everyone with parental responsibility, you can apply for a child's deed poll. The application process is similar to an adult deed poll.

Apply for a Child's Deed Poll

If you have consent from everyone with parental responsibility, you can apply for your child's deed poll.


Apply online with Deedly and receive your child's deed poll within days.