Changing a Name on a Birth Certificate in England and Wales

In most cases it is not possible to change the name on a birth certificate. This is because it is a historical record of the facts as they existed at the time of birth. Therefore, you will usually need to apply for a Deed Poll to allows you or your child to be legally known 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, simply enclose your Deed Poll 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 or your child’s birth certificate details are amended, a new document is issued by the Register Office. In such cases it will not necessary to apply for a Deed Poll. All organisations accept the new birth certificate by as suitable documentary evidence of a change of name. This allows you to have your records and documents changed to your new name.

Who Can Change the Name on a Birth Certificate?

Changing a Forname

Changing a Surname

Correcting a Mistake

Altered Birth Certificates

Updating the Gender on Your Birth Certificate

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’s new forenames were given in baptism, the minister with custody of the baptismal register completes a form.

Changing a Forename

The law allows for a change to a child’s forenames on the birth register, providing the new forenames are from either baptism or by regular use within the first 12 months of the birth registration.

Forename changes may only occur 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. Any other name choice requires a Deed Poll.

If the child has been given the name in baptism:

Complete Form 13 (or form 13w for births in Wales). Take the form to the Vicar or Minister of the Church where the child was baptised. They will complete this form (this will normally incur a small fee).  The completed form must be returned to the register office. At that point, the amended names can be inserted into space 17 (at the end of the original birth certificate).

If your child has not been baptised:

Complete Form 14 (or form 14w for births in Wales). Return it to the office that holds your child’s birth registration.

If you are completing this form more than twelve months after the birth registration, 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 dated within the first twelve months.

If you do not live in the district where the birth registration took place, visit any register office in England or Wales. They will forward your form to the appropriate office.  There is no charge for adding new names to the birth register. If you would like to have certificates showing the new forenames, they must be purchased.

The provision for giving a new forename is not 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 father’s details and the child’s surname can also be altered. Please note that both parents must agree to such a change.

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 wants to change her child’s surname, it requires a Deed Poll.

If the parents of the child married after the birth registration, the birth should be re-registered. This will show the child as a child of the parent’s marriage.  At the time of re-registrtion, you can update the child’s surname to that of the father. You can also change the mother’s name on the birth certificate if she altered her surname upon marriage. If the child’s parents double-barrelled their surnames, or combined them in some way upon marriage, this name can be entered on the child’s birth certificate. In order for this to happen both parents should agree to any changes.

The easiest way for a birth to be re-registered is for the child’s parents to attend the Register Office together.

Correcting a Mistake

The registration of a birth is a historic record. It 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, from the earliest date possible, that the child is being brought up in a different name to the one registered. This could be in the form of an NHS letter, a bank statement or a medical card.

Altered Birth Certificates

When applying to alter names on a Birth Certificate, you must comply with any court orders about the name change.  To simply add new names to the birth register, there is no charge. However, it is possible to buy certificates showing the new names.

Changing the Gender on Your Birth Certificate

Once your legal status is confirmed by the Gender Recognition Panel, the name and gender on your birth certificate can be updated

In order to apply for this you must prove that:

1. You suffer from, or have suffered from gender dysphoria
2. For at least the last 2 years, you have been living in your corrected gender
3. You intend on remaining in your new gender permanently

Providing your application for a Gender Recognition Certificate is successful, your amended birth certificate is issued in your correct gender and name.