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Change of name deed for a child (England and Wales)
England and Wales · in English · for parents
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10 questions · about 4 min
Made for use in England and Wales
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For a parent or guardian changing the name of a child under 18 — after a divorce, a new family or at the child’s wish. Everyone with parental responsibility must agree, or the court must permit it; the deed says which, and a 16- or 17-year-old signs their own consent. It renounces the old name and adopts the new one, signed in front of two adult witnesses. GOV.UK explains the free route and the optional enrolment, which costs a fee.
- Made for use in England and Wales
- Last updated October 28, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- After a divorce you want your children in England to take your surname.
- Your teenager wants a double-barrelled surname and the other parent agrees.
- The school in Wales wants a document before it changes your child’s name on its records.
- Your new family wants all the children to share the same surname.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Date
- Former name
- Child's date of birth
- Parent
- Parent's address
- Town or city
- Parent's postcode
- Second person with parental responsibility who signs (blank if none)
- First name(s) and surname after the change
- Who agrees to the change
Common questions
- Can I change my child’s surname without the other parent’s agreement?
- Not on your own if the other parent has parental responsibility: everyone who has it must agree, or the family court must give permission, and the court decides on the child’s welfare. Where a child arrangements order says who the child lives with, the court’s permission is needed unless everyone with parental responsibility agrees in writing (Children Act 1989, s 13). A mediation information meeting usually comes before an application.
- Does a 16- or 17-year-old have to agree to the change of name?
- Yes. From 16 a young person may make their own deed poll, so a change made for them should carry their agreement: the enrolment rules require a child of 16 or 17 to sign their consent on the deed, in both names (Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994, reg 8), and this deed has that line. A younger child’s wishes count as well: the court weighs them if the change is disputed, and a child who is old enough to understand can ask the court to stop a change.
- What should I send with the deed when updating the child’s passport or school records?
- The signed deed (or a certified copy), the child’s birth certificate, and evidence that everyone with parental responsibility agrees — their signatures on the deed or separate signed consent letters — or a copy of the court’s order. HM Passport Office’s guidance lists what it needs for a child’s change of name, and schools and GPs usually ask for the deed and the consents. Keep the original safe and order a few certified copies.
How you can sign this document
- Print it and sign by hand. The signature lines in the document are left blank on purpose — sign on them in ink.
- Sign it yourself with a qualified electronic signature. If you already hold a QES — Evrotrust, B-Trust, StampIT, ZealiD or any qualified provider on the EU Trusted List, on a card, a USB token, in a mobile app or in the cloud — our signing guide explains step by step how to sign this exact file without invalidating it. Step-by-step help, and a way to check it worked
DocMuse sells documents, not legal advice. Acceptance always depends on the recipient's rules and your local law.
Related documents
- Change of name deed for an adult (England and Wales)
For anyone aged 16 or over who is changing their first name, surname or both — after marriage, divorce or simply by choice — and needs proof for their bank, employer, HM Passport Office or DVLA. An unenrolled deed poll you make yourself: it renounces the old name, adopts the new one and is signed in both names in front of two adult witnesses. GOV.UK explains the free route and the optional enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice, which costs a fee.
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- Letter confirming that someone lives at your address (UK)
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- Letter consenting to a child’s passport application (UK)
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For an adult who wants someone they trust to handle their money and affairs while they can still decide for themselves — when abroad, in hospital or simply needing help. A deed in the form of section 10 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971, signed in front of a witness. It stops working if you lose mental capacity; for that, make a lasting power of attorney through the Office of the Public Guardian, whose online service is the first place to look.