Changing a child's name is a complicated process, and we don't yet have our automated system quite ready yet (though it works fine for adults). This document will help you work out whether you can change your child's name, and lets you know the process involved. It only works if you are a woman (although the automated system will cope with men or women changing a child's name). If you are a man who wants to change a child's name, mail us. Click on the answers to the questions below:   Is the child: 15 or younger? 16 or 17? 18 or older? Over 18 Anyone over the age of 18 is considered legally to be an adult. As such, they can change their own name. This can be done by using our automated system. 16 or 17 Sixteen and seventeen year-olds have the right to object to you changing their name. Because of this, they will also have to sign the Deed Poll document (as well as you). Continue to next question. The exception is for a 16 or 17 year-old girl who is married. She can change her own name as if she were an adult. At present, our automated system does not cope with this, so send us an email and we'll process the change of name manually. Under 15 Are you: Birth mother Adoptive mother Legal Guardian None of the above Birth mother Were you: Married to child's father at time of birth*? Married to child's father at any time subsequently? Married to child's father, but divorced before time of birth*? Never married to child's father? * In Northern Ireland, time of conception, rather than time of birth. Shared responsibility The child's father has parental responsibility; and must therefore give his consent to the name change. Does the father? Live with you? Not live with you, but will agree to the change of name? I don't know the father's wherabouts The father has passed away Father "missing" Even if you cannot locate the father, you can still change the child's name, but the Deed Poll can subsequently be challenged in court by the father at a later date. It is however, unlikely that a court would rule in favour of a name reversal if the amount of contact between father and child is small. The child's wishes would also be taken into account. Some departments will not honour such a Deed Poll. Our advice would be to attempt to contact the father first, but if you cannot, please send us an email stating what you have done to attempt to locate the father, and we will be able to issue a Deed Poll for you.   Father can give his consent There should be no problems in getting the child's name changed. Please send us an email. Father passed away There should be no problems in getting the child's name changed. Please send us an email. Single responsibility Because a father's parental responsibility only comes through marriage, you have single responsibility over the child. To change the child's name, send us an email. Single or joint responsibility? Did you: Adopt the child as a single parent? Adopt the child with my partner, and they can give their consent? Adopt the child with my partner, but no longer know the whereabouts of him? Obtain sole legal guardianship of the child? Obtain joint legal guardianship of the child? The adoptive father/joint legal guardian has passed away.   Single responsibility Because a father's parental responsibility only comes through marriage, you have single responsibility over the child. To change the child's name, send us an email. Sorry You do not have the legal ability to change the child's name. Go back to the start Return to the ChangeName home page End of flowchart