Can My Ex Change My Child’s Surname?

If you were married or are named on the child’s birth certificate, then you have something the law calls Parental Responsibility.

This includes various rights and duties concerning the child including the right to decide their name. If more than one person has parental responsibility and they can’t agree a change then no change can be made unless an application is made to the court for a judge to make a ruling.

A judge will decide what is in the child’s best interests but usually if the child spends some time regularly with both parents then a change will not be approved. If the other parent states that they intend to act without either permission or a court order, then legal advice should be sought to prevent this.

If a change can be agreed then a change of name deed is a cheap and quick method of sorting this out.

For any advice regarding your child and custody/contact disputes, click here to take a look at what I can offer and don’t hesitate to get in touch.