Change of name (16 year old)
Discussion
We are looking to change our 16 year old’s name as me and my partner are getting married next year. The 16 yo thought it would be nice to get her name changed before that! 😁
Unfortunately it’s a bit confusing as she’s able to do some of it on her own but in other areas is considered a minor so, as I understand it can’t do the full name change..?
She’s actually my step-daughter, the father was a bit of a tw@, that’s putting it mildly, and isn’t allowed to see her. As she was born before 2003 and not on the birth certificate, he hasn’t got parental responsibility, which helps as we don’t need his permission.
It looks as though any adult name changes have to be published in the London Gazette. Given his (the ‘real’ father’s) history and the fact that she is still a minor, I don’t want her address being published. C’mon, with social media nowadays it wouldn’t take a genius to track her down! Is there anyway of avoiding the name change being published?
Secondly, do we need an affidavit from a solicitor for such a name change?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately it’s a bit confusing as she’s able to do some of it on her own but in other areas is considered a minor so, as I understand it can’t do the full name change..?
She’s actually my step-daughter, the father was a bit of a tw@, that’s putting it mildly, and isn’t allowed to see her. As she was born before 2003 and not on the birth certificate, he hasn’t got parental responsibility, which helps as we don’t need his permission.
It looks as though any adult name changes have to be published in the London Gazette. Given his (the ‘real’ father’s) history and the fact that she is still a minor, I don’t want her address being published. C’mon, with social media nowadays it wouldn’t take a genius to track her down! Is there anyway of avoiding the name change being published?
Secondly, do we need an affidavit from a solicitor for such a name change?
Any help greatly appreciated.
derbyjim said:
We are looking to change our 16 year old’s name as me and my partner are getting married next year. The 16 yo thought it would be nice to get her name changed before that! ??
Unfortunately it’s a bit confusing as she’s able to do some of it on her own but in other areas is considered a minor so, as I understand it can’t do the full name change..?
She’s actually my step-daughter, the father was a bit of a tw@, that’s putting it mildly, and isn’t allowed to see her. As she was born before 2003 and not on the birth certificate, he hasn’t got parental responsibility, which helps as we don’t need his permission.
It looks as though any adult name changes have to be published in the London Gazette. Given his (the ‘real’ father’s) history and the fact that she is still a minor, I don’t want her address being published. C’mon, with social media nowadays it wouldn’t take a genius to track her down! Is there anyway of avoiding the name change being published?
Secondly, do we need an affidavit from a solicitor for such a name change?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Is her father so keen to track her down that he’s scouring the London Gazette daily just in case she decides to change her name? I think there’s a mountain being made out of a molehill there and you’re just complicating things for the sake of it. Unfortunately it’s a bit confusing as she’s able to do some of it on her own but in other areas is considered a minor so, as I understand it can’t do the full name change..?
She’s actually my step-daughter, the father was a bit of a tw@, that’s putting it mildly, and isn’t allowed to see her. As she was born before 2003 and not on the birth certificate, he hasn’t got parental responsibility, which helps as we don’t need his permission.
It looks as though any adult name changes have to be published in the London Gazette. Given his (the ‘real’ father’s) history and the fact that she is still a minor, I don’t want her address being published. C’mon, with social media nowadays it wouldn’t take a genius to track her down! Is there anyway of avoiding the name change being published?
Secondly, do we need an affidavit from a solicitor for such a name change?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Lindun said:
Is her father so keen to track her down that he’s scouring the London Gazette daily just in case she decides to change her name? I think there’s a mountain being made out of a molehill there and you’re just complicating things for the sake of it.
It’s online nowadays fella, you can just search it!And yes, we have good reasons not to share the address, unfortunately.
derbyjim said:
It’s online nowadays fella, you can just search it!
And yes, we have good reasons not to share the address, unfortunately.
But is he seeking her out currently? If he is, I’m sure he could find her with or without this. And yes, we have good reasons not to share the address, unfortunately.
If he is and you’re worried, then it’s game over for what you want to do. The rules aren’t going to get changed for your situation.
Lindun said:
But is he seeking her out currently? If he is, I’m sure he could find her with or without this.
If he is and you’re worried, then it’s game over for what you want to do. The rules aren’t going to get changed for your situation.
I’m a powerfully built director and can dominate the stairs, so we should be okay....If he is and you’re worried, then it’s game over for what you want to do. The rules aren’t going to get changed for your situation.
I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
derbyjim said:
I’m a powerfully built director and can dominate the stairs, so we should be okay....
I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
The answer is no, unless they change the rules, which you say you don’t expect. Minor, adult, trans, gender fluid or whoever all have to have their details published in the Gazette. That’s the rules and process. I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
It might be simpler and better for you to officially adopt her. As far as I know, adoption paperwork is highly confidential and there would be no leakage of name or address. Apart from strengthening the emotional bond, she would become your child in law, for example, if you were to die intestate, she wouldn’t be left high and dry.
QuickQuack said:
It might be simpler and better for you to officially adopt her. As far as I know, adoption paperwork is highly confidential and there would be no leakage of name or address. Apart from strengthening the emotional bond, she would become your child in law, for example, if you were to die intestate, she wouldn’t be left high and dry.
We actually went down that route first. Despite what’s happened, the social worker said that the absent parent would be contacted. She was in her late 50s and said she’d only had one case in all her time that the court had asked for no contact of the absent parent to be requested.Unbelievably she even mentioned cases where the father was in prison with a long history of offences and the court had awarded (re-awarded?) access to the child.
For the sake of what we are aiming to get out of this, the same surname in the family, then the deed poll looked to be the best way. We would then follow this up with wills.
The emotional bond is fab. Don’t really have any qualms and I don’t think she really sees it any different from a ‘normal’ family either. I did wait a helluva long time to pop the question to her mum last year! 😁
Lindun said:
The answer is no, unless they change the rules, which you say you don’t expect. Minor, adult, trans, gender fluid or whoever all have to have their details published in the Gazette. That’s the rules and process.
Lindun - not meant in a disparaging way, but are you in the legal profession? I.e. can I take that as gospel?Secondly, if you are, what would then stop me putting down a close relatives address rather than ours? That may give us some comfort.
If the 16 yo is happy to change her name then she can do it using the simple method and doesn't need to advertise in the London Gazette - this would only have to be done if parents with responsibility change it for her (i.e. this might not have her agreement).
I used the simple form, witnessed by a bank manager, and I've never had a problem with banks etc or when renewing my passport.
In view of her age I'd recommend witnessing by a solicitor.
I used the simple form, witnessed by a bank manager, and I've never had a problem with banks etc or when renewing my passport.
In view of her age I'd recommend witnessing by a solicitor.
Enrolling a name change (having the deed poll recognised by a court and published as a matter of record in the London Gazette) is an optional process for adults.
Enrolment doesn't change the validity of the deed poll, but makes it easier to authenticate and provides strong proof that it existed at a specific time.
Where a parent wishes to change the name of a child, it is necessary to enrol the change (and the enrolment process will require various consents).
Where a 16 or 17 year old wishes to change their own name, they can do so, but the change cannot be enrolled.
Enrolment doesn't change the validity of the deed poll, but makes it easier to authenticate and provides strong proof that it existed at a specific time.
Where a parent wishes to change the name of a child, it is necessary to enrol the change (and the enrolment process will require various consents).
Where a 16 or 17 year old wishes to change their own name, they can do so, but the change cannot be enrolled.
Lindun said:
derbyjim said:
I’m a powerfully built director and can dominate the stairs, so we should be okay....
I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
The answer is no, unless they change the rules, which you say you don’t expect. Minor, adult, trans, gender fluid or whoever all have to have their details published in the Gazette. That’s the rules and process. I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
98elise said:
Lindun said:
derbyjim said:
I’m a powerfully built director and can dominate the stairs, so we should be okay....
I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
The answer is no, unless they change the rules, which you say you don’t expect. Minor, adult, trans, gender fluid or whoever all have to have their details published in the Gazette. That’s the rules and process. I’m not asking for rules to be changed. All I asked was if the fact that she’s still a minor and given the history, whether or not there are any grounds for not publishing her name and address in the London Gazette. I’ve looked and can’t see whether there is (or not) but there are some reasonably educated people on here who may know the answer.
WatchfulEye said:
Enrolling a name change (having the deed poll recognised by a court and published as a matter of record in the London Gazette) is an optional process for adults.
Enrolment doesn't change the validity of the deed poll, but makes it easier to authenticate and provides strong proof that it existed at a specific time.
Where a parent wishes to change the name of a child, it is necessary to enrol the change (and the enrolment process will require various consents).
Where a 16 or 17 year old wishes to change their own name, they can do so, but the change cannot be enrolled.
This is probably the easiest explanation I’ve read, thank you WatchfulEye.Enrolment doesn't change the validity of the deed poll, but makes it easier to authenticate and provides strong proof that it existed at a specific time.
Where a parent wishes to change the name of a child, it is necessary to enrol the change (and the enrolment process will require various consents).
Where a 16 or 17 year old wishes to change their own name, they can do so, but the change cannot be enrolled.
So if we (parents) wish to change it, we need to go through deedpoll. This is a more formal, authentic route?
If she does it or we don’t go through the enrollment route, then the name still changes but some places may not recognise the change of name? Given that National Insurance numbers etc will be provided to her soon, will government places like that accept the name change if we don’t go through the enrollment?
Do we need a solicitor for the non-enrollment version?
I still don’t get the London Gazette bit, in particular why the government sees it fit to publish minors names and addresses online for everyone to see. Feels a bit ‘wrong’ in this day and age of social media.
HTP99 said:
I'm curious too as we changed my eldest daughters name 11 years go; she was 15/16 at the time and there was no big announcement; a few bits of paperwork and all was done.
I had a name change at about 16 if I recall. It was by a process known as Deed Poll at the time. All I really remember is that I signed a document in the presence of a solicitor and it was witnessed by my grandfather. There was no mention if it being published anywhere but the deed document had to be produced when I needed a passport. Since then, nothing.Taylor James said:
HTP99 said:
I'm curious too as we changed my eldest daughters name 11 years go; she was 15/16 at the time and there was no big announcement; a few bits of paperwork and all was done.
I had a name change at about 16 if I recall. It was by a process known as Deed Poll at the time. All I really remember is that I signed a document in the presence of a solicitor and it was witnessed by my grandfather. There was no mention if it being published anywhere but the deed document had to be produced when I needed a passport. Since then, nothing.I remember there was a bit of an issue with her GCSE's as some of her coursework was in her previous name and yet the exams were in her new name so there was a bit of an issue with tying everything up.
Hi OP,
I used this lot for a deed poll. My name was changed when I was 12 but the original deed poll was long lost. Needed to ‘prove’ I’d been know by TVR1 since then, rather than notTVR1 since birth. Used the DP for both overseas and marriage purposes.
BTW this Gazette stuff is nonsense (well,not quite nonsense) for your purposes.
HTH.
https://www.deedpolls-online.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQob...
I used this lot for a deed poll. My name was changed when I was 12 but the original deed poll was long lost. Needed to ‘prove’ I’d been know by TVR1 since then, rather than notTVR1 since birth. Used the DP for both overseas and marriage purposes.
BTW this Gazette stuff is nonsense (well,not quite nonsense) for your purposes.
HTH.
https://www.deedpolls-online.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQob...
derbyjim said:
This is probably the easiest explanation I’ve read, thank you WatchfulEye.
So if we (parents) wish to change it, we need to go through deedpoll. This is a more formal, authentic route?
If she does it or we don’t go through the enrollment route, then the name still changes but some places may not recognise the change of name? Given that National Insurance numbers etc will be provided to her soon, will government places like that accept the name change if we don’t go through the enrollment?
Do we need a solicitor for the non-enrollment version?
I still don’t get the London Gazette bit, in particular why the government sees it fit to publish minors names and addresses online for everyone to see. Feels a bit ‘wrong’ in this day and age of social media.
Deed poll is one of the methods of changing a name, it is the most common and most widely recognised. It simply consists of a person writing a document stating that they have changed their name, and signing it in the presence of witnesses.So if we (parents) wish to change it, we need to go through deedpoll. This is a more formal, authentic route?
If she does it or we don’t go through the enrollment route, then the name still changes but some places may not recognise the change of name? Given that National Insurance numbers etc will be provided to her soon, will government places like that accept the name change if we don’t go through the enrollment?
Do we need a solicitor for the non-enrollment version?
I still don’t get the London Gazette bit, in particular why the government sees it fit to publish minors names and addresses online for everyone to see. Feels a bit ‘wrong’ in this day and age of social media.
See: https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-a...
You don't need a solicitor or 3rd party to do this for you. But it would help ensure that you get the document right, and that if the document is in the future lost or damaged, that there is a formal record held somewhere where a certified copy can be obtained.
The process of enrolling the deed poll is more formal, and hence some organisations may find it more convincing. In practice, it is not usually required. (and is only applicable to British citizens/Commonwealth citizens, so not all people can use it anyway).
Government agencies will accept an unenrolled deed poll; although they may ask for additional proof that the new name is being used, e.g. you may need to have a bank statement or a letter from the council/school, before a new passport will be issued. Once the passport is in the new name, then there should be no problems applying for things like a driving licence, NI, etc.
Check with the bank, school, etc. as to what documents they want - would just a deed poll document be sufficient? If they say that's all they need, then there is a clear path, get the unenrolled deed poll done, get the bank account changed and apply for a new passport.
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