We do not require you to send us a letter of consent before issuing a Deed Poll but you should enclose one when notifying relevant bodies of your child’s name change as many organisations will expect one. 

Below, are three example letters of consent. The one applicable to you will depend on the type of parental responsibility that you hold for your child. For more information on this see our page Parental Responsibility.

Sole Parental Responsibility

Joint Parental Responsibility

Joint Parental Responsibility (absent father)

Sole Parental Responsibility

Your Name

Your Address

Your Tel no.

Date

To whom it may concern, 

I, the undersigned [insert your name here], the person having parental responsibility for [child’s current name here], give my consent to [his/her] name being changed to [child’s new name here]. 

From the options laid out below, choose those relevant to your situation.

I confirm that when the child was born I was not married to the child’s father nor was I subsequently married to him at any time after the birth. I also confirm that no other person has acquired parental responsibility either by agreement or by court order.

For births registered in England and Wales before 1^st December 2003

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of the birth, or at any time after the birth.

For births registered in England and Wales after 1^st December 2003

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of the birth, or at any time after the birth. I also confirm that the father’s details were not entered at the time of registration.

For births registered in Scotland before 4^th May 2006

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of conception, or at any time after the birth.

For births registered in Scotland after 4^th May 2006

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of conception, or at any time after the birth. I also confirm that the father’s details were not entered at the time of registration.

For births registered in Northern Ireland before 15^th April 2002

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of the birth.

For births registered in Northern Ireland after 15^th April 2002

I hereby declare that I was not married to my child’s father at the time of the birth. I also confirm that the father’s details were not entered at the time of registration.

If a parent who previously held parental responsibility is now deceased

The child’s [father/mother] did hold parental responsibility for my child but [he/she] passed away on [insert date]. Enclosed is a copy of the death certificate as confirmation

I confirm that nobody other than myself holds parental responsibility for my child. Nobody has acquired it through a court order or any other means. I also confirm that there is no court, custody, or parental responsibility order, preventing me from changing the name of the child named above.

As documentary evidence of my child’s change of name, I enclose [my child’s Deed Poll/a certified copy of my child’s Deed Poll]. Please amend your records accordingly and return the document at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully 

[Signature]

[Full name printed]

[Relationship to child stated]

Joint Parental Responsibility (consent given by both parents)

Your Name

Your Address

Your Tel no.

Date

To whom it may concern, 

We, the undersigned, the persons having parental responsibility for [child’s current name here], hereby give our consent to [his/her] name being changed to [child’s new name here]. 

We confirm that there is no court, custody, or parental responsibility order, preventing us from changing the name of the child named above.

As documentary evidence of our child’s change of name, we enclose [our child’s Deed Poll/a certified copy of our child’s Deed Poll]. Please amend your records accordingly and return the document enclosed at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully 

[Signature of first person]

[Full name printed]

[Relationship to child stated]

[Signature of second person]

[Full name printed]

[Relationship to child stated]

If somebody holding parental responsibility does not live at the address stated on the letter, add their address beneath their signature, name and relationship to child.

Joint Parental Responsibility (absent parent)

 Your Name

Your Address

Your Tel no.

Date

To whom it may concern, 

I, the undersigned [insert your name here], the person having parental responsibility for [child’s current name here], give my consent to [his/her] name being changed to [child’s new name here]. 

Please note that this is an only an example of a letter you may wish to use and should be amended according to your circumstances since not all of it will apply.

Although I was married when my son/daughter was born, I am unable to obtain consent from [his/her] [mother/father] because for the last [period of time] I have not known of [his/her] whereabouts. I have written to [his/her] [mother’s/father’s] last known addresses but received no reply. I have also contacted several of [his/her] relatives but they too do not know where [he/she] is. The Child Support Agency have also been unable to locate [him/her]. 

Since my ex [husband/wife] and I separated in [month and year], my [son/daughter] has had very little contact with [him/her]. Over the past [period of time] we have had no contact whatsoever. My [son/daughter] has received no presents, cards, letters etc. from [him/her] and I have received no maintenance allowance. Now my [son/daughter] is old enough to understand the situation, [he/she] has decided that [he/she] no longer wishes to use [his/her] father’s surname.

As documentary evidence of my child’s change of name, I enclose [my child’s Deed Poll/a certified copy of my child’s Deed Poll]. Please amend your records accordingly and return the document at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully 

[Signature]

[Full name printed]

[Relationship to child stated]