In most cases it is not possible to
get the name on a birth certificate
changed since it is a historical
record
of the facts as they existed at the
time of birth. In these cases you
will need to apply for a Deed Poll
which allows you to be legally known
of by a different name. A Deed Poll
document allows you to get all
records and documents changed to
your new name. If you then apply for
something that requires sight of
your birth certificate, for example
a passport, you can simply enclose
your Deed Poll along with it. The
name on your Deed Poll will then
override the one shown on your birth
certificate.
However, in the few circumstances
that you can get your own, or your
child’s birth certificate details
amended a new document will be
issued by the Register Office. In
such cases it is obviously not
necessary to apply for a Deed Poll.
The new birth certificate will be
accepted by all organisations as
suitable documentary evidence of a
change of name, allowing you to have
your records and documents changed
to your new name.
The rules regarding changing a name
on a birth certificate differ
depending on where the birth was
registered.
Under certain circumstances it is
possible to change names on the
birth certificate or add additional
information to that recorded
originally. In accordance of what
changes you require, you will need
to organise either to make a
correction, change a forename, or
re-register the birth.
Changing a Forename
The law allows for a change to a
child's forenames to be added to the
birth register, provided the new
forenames were given either in
baptism or by regular use within the
first 12 months of the birth being
registered.
Forename changes may only be made
once in the birth register. If
your child has been baptised within
twelve months of the birth
registration, only the baptismal
names may be added to the register
and not another name of your choice.
If the child has been given the name
in baptism:
Form 13
(or
form 13w
for births registered in Wales) should be taken to the Vicar or
Minister of the Church in which the
child was baptised for them to
complete (this will normally incur a
small fee). You must then
return the completed form to the register
office and the amended names
can be inserted into space 17 (at
the end of the original birth
certificate).
If your child has not been baptised:
Form 14 (or
form 14w for births registered
in Wales) should be completed and
returned to the register office
where your child's birth was
registered.
If you
are completing this form more than
twelve months after the birth was
registered you will
need to provide documentary evidence
of the new forename, being used
within the twelve months following
registration. For example, an NHS
letter, a bank statement or an
immunisation card showing the name
in use within the first twelve
months.
If you do not live in the district
where the birth registration took
place, you can visit any register
office in England or Wales and your
form will be forwarded to the
appropriate office.
There is no charge for adding new
names to the birth register but if
you would like to have certificates
showing the new forenames, they must
be purchased.
The provision for giving a new
forename is not intended to be used
to correct an error or omission.
Where it is clear that a name was
incorrectly recorded at registration
the procedure for applying for
a correction should be followed (see
Changing a
Mistake).
Changing a Surname
Depending on the marital status of
the child’s parents, it is sometimes
possible to change the child's
surname on their birth certificate.
If the parents were not married at
the birth registration, and the
father did not attend the
registration process, it is possible
to amend the birth certificate. It
can be altered to show the fathers
details and the child’s surname can
also be altered.
If the parents were not married at
the birth registration and the
father’s details were added to the
birth certificate and his surname was
taken by the child, the birth
certificate cannot be changed. In
this situation, if the mother wanted
to change her child’s surname it
would have to be done by
Deed Poll.
If the parents of the child married
after the birth registration the
birth should be re-registered to
show the child as a child of the
parent’s marriage. The child’s
surname can be altered at the same
time, either to the fathers, the
mothers, or a combination of the two
(a double-barrelled surname), as
long as both parents agree to the
change.
The most straightforward way for a
birth to be re-registered is to have
both of the child’s parents attend
the Register Office together.
Changing a Mistake
A registration of a birth is a
historic record and so is intended
to record the facts as they were at
the time at which the registration
took place. However, if it is found
that an error was made at the
original registration, changes are
possible. Applications for
corrections should be made by the
person who first registered the
birth and at the same Register
Office. Depending on the
circumstances, documentary evidence
may be required. This should show
that the child is being brought up
in a different name to the one on
the register and from the earliest
date possible. This could be in the
form of an NHS letter, a bank
statement or a medical card.
Who can change the name on a Birth
Certificate
Only the mother, father or guardian
of a child can apply for a child's
change of forename to be recorded.
In other words, anybody with
parental responsibility for the
child. If the child was given the
new forenames by baptism, the
minister with custody of the
baptismal register needs to complete
a form.
Altered Birth Certificates
When applying to adjust names on a
Birth Certificate, you must comply
with any court orders in force about
the naming of your child.
To simply add new names to the birth
register there is no charge but it
is possible to buy certificates
showing the new names.
Changing the gender on your Birth
Certificate
The name and gender on your birth
certificate can only be changed once
your full legal status has been
confirmed by the
Gender Recognition Panel.
In order to apply for this
you must prove that:
1.
You suffer from, or have suffered
from gender dysphoria
2.
You have been living in your
acquired gender for the last two
years
3.
You intend on remaining in your new
gender permanently
Providing your application for a
Gender Recognition Certificate is
successful, your amended birth
certificate will be issued to show
your new gender and name.
Any person who was born or legally
adopted in Scotland can have their
change of name recorded.
Changing the name of a child under
16 years of age
In order to change the name of
somebody under 16 years of age, the
application must be made by the
appropriate person. Applicants must
have parental responsibility for the
child whose name is being changed,
and must also have consent from any
others who hold parental
responsibility. Only one change of
forename and one change of surname
may be recorded for those under 16.
If a change of forename was made
before the child was 12 months old,
although the record of the forename
cannot be changed, the recorded
surname can be.
Recording a change of name when over
16 years of age
Anybody over 16 can apply to have
their change of name recorded. He or
she must sign the application
themselves. One change of forename
and up to three changes of surname
can be recorded. A period of five
years must pass between changes in
surname. When the birth certificate is reissued the original
forenames and surname are shown in
addition to the new names.
Reissued birth certificates
When the birth certificate is
reissued the original forenames and
surname are shown in addition to the
new names. However, this doe not
apply to an application for a change
of forename(s) for a child under the
age of twelve months.
Where to Apply
An application form can be obtained
from any registrar of births,
deaths, and marriages within
Scotland. The address of your local
registrar can be found in the
telephone directory. All completed
applications along with fees must be
sent to the General Register Office,
Change of Name Unit, New Register
House, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT.
Changing the gender on your Birth
Certificate
The name and gender on your birth
certificate can only be changed once
your full legal status has been
confirmed by the
Gender Recognition Panel.
In order to apply for this
you must prove that:
1.
You suffer from, or have suffered
from gender dysphoria
2.
You have been living in your
acquired gender for the last two
years
3.
You intend on remaining in your new
gender permanently
Providing your application for a
Gender Recognition Certificate is
successful, your amended birth
certificate will be issued.
Therefore it will not be necessary
to apply for a Deed Poll since the
birth certificate will provide
documentary evidence that your name
and gender have changed.
Changes of surname of people born or
legally adopted in Northern Ireland
can be recorded in the appropriate
entry in the birth or adoption
register. Changes can only be made
if the new name has been in usage
for two years previous to the
application.
Children between the ages of 2 and
18 years of age
Applications for changes of name on
the birth certificate for children
over 2 but under 18 years of age
must be made by an adult with
parental responsibility. Changes can
only be made if the new name has
been in usage for two years previous
to the application. Only one change
of forename and one change of
surname can be recorded.
Two forms of documentary evidence
must be shown in order for the
change to be made. For more
information see the section on
Documentary
Evidence.
Adults aged 18 and over
Adults aged 18 and over can apply to
have a change of surname recorded at
any time. The must fill in the
appropriate application form
themselves. One change of forename
and up to three changes of surname
can be recorded for adults. Five
years must elapse between changes of
surname.
Changes can only be made if their
new name has been in usage for two
years previous to the application.
Two forms of documentary evidence
must be shown in order for the
change to be made. For more
information see the section on
Documentary
Evidence.
Where to apply
Application Forms can be obtained
from any Register of births, deaths
and marriages within Northern
Ireland, or from the General
Register Office. There are two
different types of form available,
one for those between the ages of 2
and 18, and one for those aged 18
and over. All applications along
with documentary evidence should be
sent to the General Register Office.
Reissued birth certificates
When the birth certificate is
reissued the original forenames and
surname are shown in addition to the
new names.
Documentary evidence
In order for the change to be made,
two forms of documentary evidence
must be shown. However, only one
needs to show that the forename and
surname have been in use for the two
year period. Ideally one should show
the date of birth.
By changing your name by Deed Poll
you will be able to have your
details changed to your new name and
so subsequent documents will be
issued in the chosen name. Such
documents will then be accepted as
evidence for the usage of your name
over a two year period. Examples of
suitable documents include:
Passport
Medical Card
Bank Book
School Certificate
Insurance Policy
Marriage Certificate
Driving Licence
Changing the gender on your Birth
Certificate
The name and gender on your birth
certificate can only be changed once
your full legal status has been
confirmed by the
Gender Recognition Panel.
In order to apply for this
you must prove that:
1.
You suffer from, or have suffered
from gender dysphoria
2.
You have been living in your
acquired gender for the last two
years
3.
You intend on remaining in your new
gender permanently
Providing your application for a
Gender Recognition Certificate is
successful, your amended birth
certificate will be issued to show
your new name and gender.
