Change of name deed

Changing your child's forename within twelve months of their birth registration

Within the first year after the date of birth registration, parents can change their child's forename(s) for a £44.00 fee. (A fee of £12.50 is payable for a new birth certificate, if required.) The form you need to complete will depend on whether or not your child has been baptised. Full details, including the relevant forms, are available from Coventry Registration Services. Please note that it is not possible to change your child's surname by this method.

Changing your child's surname (and/or forename) after twelve months of their birth registration

The following conditions apply if you want to change your child's surname if they are under 16:

• If both parents are married to each other you may change your child's name if you both agree to the change.
• If the parents are divorced both parents must give their consent to the change.
• If the child's birth was registered on or after 1 December 2003, the parents have never been married and the father's details are entered in the birth registration, both parents must give their consent to the change. Alternatively, one parent may obtain a court order allowing them to change the child's name without the consent of the other parent.
• If the child's birth was registered before 1 December 2003, the parents have never been married and if there is no Parental Responsibility Order or agreement in place, the mother may change the child's name.

It may be possible to change your child’s surname on re-registration if for instance the natural father was not named on the original entry or parents subsequently marry after their child’s birth.

 If there is a court order in place it may not be possible to change your child's name without applying to the court. Please seek your solicitor's advice in these circumstances.

Children aged 16 and 17 years may apply to change their own name but their parent(s) will be required to attend the appointment and also sign the change of name deed.