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Statutory declaration of change of name for a child (Scotland)
Scotland · in English · for parents
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11 questions · about 5 min
Made for use in Scotland
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For a parent in Scotland changing the name of a child under 16 — after a divorce, in a new family or at the child’s wish. A statutory declaration by a parent with parental responsibilities and rights, declared before a notary public or a justice of the peace: it records the old and new names, whether every other person with parental responsibilities and rights agrees or the court has allowed the change, and that the child’s views were considered. If the child was born in Scotland, National Records of Scotland can also record the change on its own form, by post. From 16 a young person makes their own declaration.
- Made for use in Scotland
- Last updated October 29, 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
- You want your child in Scotland to take a different surname after a divorce.
- Your child wants to use the new family’s surname and the school wants proof.
- You are renewing your child’s passport and need to show the name has changed.
- Both parents agree and you want the child’s change of name recorded in writing.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Parent
- Parent's address
- Town or city
- Parent's postcode
- Your relationship to the child (e.g. mother, father, guardian)
- Former name
- Child's date of birth
- First name(s) and surname after the change
- Who agrees to the change
- Date
- Other person with parental responsibilities and rights who consents (blank if none)
Common questions
- Who has to agree to changing a child’s name in Scotland?
- Make the change with the agreement of everyone who has parental responsibilities and rights: National Records of Scotland’s form for a child is made by both parents where both have them, and HM Passport Office and schools look for the same. Each consenting person signs the consent on this declaration or a separate letter kept with it. If someone with those rights disagrees, the sheriff court can decide by a specific issue order, on the child’s welfare.
- Does my child’s opinion count when changing their name in Scotland?
- Yes. A parent making a major decision about a child must have regard, so far as practicable, to the child’s views, taking account of their age and maturity (Children (Scotland) Act 1995, s 6), and the court weighs them too if the change is disputed. This declaration records that you did so. From the age of 16 a young person has full legal capacity and makes their own declaration instead.
- What should I send with the declaration to update my child’s passport or school records?
- The signed declaration (or a certified copy), the child’s birth certificate, and evidence that everyone with parental responsibilities and rights agrees — their signatures on the consent or separate 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 GP practices usually ask for the same. Keep the original safe.
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
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