Although having a kid is a fantastic event, new parents may find it stressful. By registering a child’s birth, parents can register the child with a general practitioner (GP) and educational institutions, and provide access to health care.
However, after registering a baby’s birth in the UK, what happens if you decide to change their name? Here, we examine the significance of registering a baby’s name and how to modify it once it has been registered.
Can you Change Your Baby’s Name After Registering?
A child who is registered will be guaranteed a birth certificate, which is a necessary document for the rest of their life. You might not be able to register your child with a doctor or an educational institution if you do not have a birth certificate. To get a passport and a driver’s license, your child will also require a birth certificate.
You can confirm your child is a legitimate UK citizen by registering their name. In the UK, all babies must be registered within 42 days of their birth. Although it is a simple process, many hospitals will offer assistance. The parents’ local registry office will be the registration location.
You can also refer to GOV.UK’s official page on changing your child’s name by deed poll for detailed instructions and legal requirements.
What Details Are Required to Register a Birth?
- The full name of the child
- The date of birth
- The mother’s maiden name
- The parents’ full names
- The address of the parents
- The date and place of the parents’ birth
- The date of the parents’ marriage or civil partnership, if applicable.
- The parents’ occupation
- At least one piece of identification from each parent is also required.
For official guidance, visit GOV.UK to learn how to register a birth in England and Wales.
What if You Can’t Choose a Name in Time?
You will still need to register the birth, but the name field will remain blank if you haven’t chosen a name for your infant within the allotted 42 days. After that, you have a full year to give it a name. If you don’t, you can be fined, and your child might not be able to get medical care.
Our guide to getting a birth certificate updated explains deadlines, legal requirements, and parental consent rules
How Long After Birth Can I Change My Baby’s Name?
A deed poll can be used to modify a child’s birth name. The child must be re-registered to have their surname changed, although their first name can be changed if they are under a year old. The original birth certificate will be kept, but connected to the deed poll as evidence of the modification, and all named parents must give their assent.
There is an application to update your name if you decide to change it because of a mistake in your original registration. The original data will still be listed on the register, nevertheless. The birth certificate and the margin comments on file will serve as proof of the adjustment, which will be recorded to demonstrate the change.
To legally update your child’s first or last name, visit our Deed Poll application for children page to begin the process.
If you have questions about using a deed poll to change your name, contact DeedPolls.com for deed poll assistance on 020 8150 2010.