Child Deed Poll – Change Your Child’s Name for £17.99

Everyone with parental responsibility must agree to a child changing their name — usually both parents named on the birth certificate, plus anyone with parental responsibility through a court order or adoption. Our pack includes a free consent letter for each person to sign and date; keep the signed letters with the deed poll, because HM Passport Office and schools may ask for them. Read more about parental responsibility and name changes and whether the father has to agree.

You cannot lawfully change your child’s name without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility. If someone refuses, your only route is applying to the family court for a Specific Issue Order using form C100 — a judge decides based on the child’s welfare. Our form asks about consent before payment: if consent cannot be confirmed, we block the purchase rather than sell you a document that would not be valid.

A parent or guardian executes the deed poll on the child’s behalf, in ink, in front of two independent witnesses aged 18 or over — the same witness rules as an adult deed poll. If the child is old enough to understand the change, it is good practice for them to sign too; our document includes an optional child signature block. From 16, a person executes their own adult deed poll instead.

Yes. Schools, GPs and NHS services routinely accept unenrolled child deed polls, usually a photocopy alongside the signed parental consent letters. HM Passport Office accepts the original wet-ink deed poll with the consent letters. For a child’s passport you will also follow the standard child application rules on gov.uk.

Changing a child’s surname after divorce or separation still requires the consent of everyone with parental responsibility — which almost always includes your ex-spouse. See changing your child’s surname: rules and consent before ordering.