Your child can't relate with his name? A Deed Poll could help!

Liv Butler
Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 - 12:55

Just like an unborn baby can’t choose its birth parents or prospective adoptive parents, he also can’t choose its legal name on birth. But growing up in the UK has its benefits. 

The UK allows children under the age of 16 to legally change their name with some help from people with parental responsibility, for tasks, like obtaining a deed poll. A child may want a name change if it can’t connect with his birth name or is uncomfortable using it. Once written evidence of consent is obtained from the people with parental responsibility and is sent to the HM Passport Office, the child may use his changed name without any issues.

Read below to find out how the deed poll can help your child change his name.

Child Deed Poll application

Your deed poll will arrive via post once you make an online application. When you click on the “Apply Now” button while your online application, you’ll need to provide some details about your child. You’ll be then directed to a secure payment page. 

When the deed poll arrives, it is accompanied by some duplicate copies that you may have ordered. The envelope would include a list of organisations you should consider notifying after the name change.

The application page acknowledges diversity in parental responsibility

If your child is adopted or a result of surrogacy, a court order or agreement relating to the child will prove as to who has the parental responsibility in the eyes of the law. The task becomes simpler for birth parents, whether you have a sole or joint parental responsibility, as all they need to do is sign the Deed Poll. In an event where both parents can’t sign the Deed Poll, one should only tick only the box meant for the parent who can. This event entails a letter of consent from the other parent and any other person with parental responsibility.

Deed Poll will not serve as an identity document

Even after a successful name change of your child, it will be your responsibility to carry the Deed Poll as evidence of the change of name from time to time. The deed poll does not serve as identity proof. What you can do is inform all individual institutions, like school, with a letter enclosing the deed poll declaring your child’s change of name and requesting an update in their records.

The outcome of the Child Deed Poll

The UK Deed Poll office provides a presentable Deed Poll printed on high-quality paper, ready to be bound and used. It comes in a plain envelope to keep confidentiality of the matter. The successfully done deed poll gets accepted by all necessary government organisations and saves you the hassle of running around to get things done. Also, the excellent service facilitates the name change procedure of your child at a very reasonable cost.

Conclusion

There could be many reasons for your child to not relate to his birth name. In case you are looking to change it, the Child Deed Poll can come to your rescue and help in making arrangements to have this wish fulfilled. With the accompanying instruction documents and manuals at your disposal, having your child’s name change is not a task you’d fear to take up, at least in the UK. All the best!

 

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