Change Your Baby's Name After Registering the Birth

Q: How much does it cost to change a baby's first name on the birth certificate?

Register offices charge a statutory fee, listed at around £44, plus the cost of a new birth certificate.

Changing a first name within 12 months

Parents can change their child's first name on the original birth registration within 12 months of the registration date. You contact the register office where the birth was registered and fill in a naming form, or a different form if your baby was baptised in that time. There is a fee, which register offices list at around £44, and you will also need to buy a new birth certificate showing the new name.

This only works once, and only within the 12 months. After that, the birth certificate keeps the name it was registered with.

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Changing a surname

You cannot usually re-register a birth just to change the surname. The main exceptions are re-registering after the parents marry, or to add the father's details, where the surname can change as part of the re-registration. Your register office can tell you whether either applies.

Otherwise, a surname change is done by deed poll. The birth certificate keeps the original surname, and the deed poll is the document that shows the change. You use it to update your baby's passport, GP and NHS records, Child Benefit and any savings account. Everyone with parental responsibility needs to agree; if the other parent does not, see changing a child's surname without the father's consent.

What is your new name?

Who is this deed poll for?

MyselfAged 16 or over — £19.99 My childUnder 16 — £19.99

Name you are changing from

First name

Middle name optional

Last name

Name you are changing to

First name

Middle name optional

Last name

A few details about you

Email address

Only used to retrieve your deed poll if you lose it. No marketing emails.

Date of birth

Day

Month

Year

Your current address

Address line 1

Address line 2 optional

Town / City

Postcode

Date of deed

Your witnesses

A UK deed poll requires two witnesses. They must be adults, not related to you, and present when you sign. They do not need to be a solicitor.

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HMRC — tax and National Insurance
DVLA — driving licence

You add the address

HM Passport Office
Bank or building society
GP surgery / NHS
Employer — HR and payroll
Local council — council tax and electoral register
Utilities & broadband
Pension provider

Being straight with you: the DVLA and passport letters are cover letters — a driving licence is changed with the free D1 form, and a passport needs a new application. The letters make the paperwork easier, not different.

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Your deed poll

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Common questions

Can I change my baby's name after registering the birth?

Yes. In England and Wales you can change a first name on the birth register within 12 months of registration through your register office. A surname, or any change after 12 months, is done by deed poll.

How much does it cost to change a baby's first name on the birth certificate?

Can I change my baby's surname on the birth certificate?

Usually not. Re-registration is possible in some cases, such as after the parents marry or to add the father's details. Otherwise use a deed poll, which leaves the birth certificate unchanged.

Does a deed poll change my baby's birth certificate?

No. The birth certificate stays as it was registered. The deed poll is the document organisations use to update their records.

Do both parents need to agree to change a baby's name?

Everyone with parental responsibility needs to agree. If the other parent has parental responsibility and refuses, you would need a court order.

Changing Your Baby's Name After Registering the Birth

Changing a first name within 12 months

Changing a surname

After the 12 months

Making a deed poll for your baby

What is your new name?

A few details about you

Your witnesses

Common questions

Can I change my baby's name after registering the birth?

How much does it cost to change a baby's first name on the birth certificate?

Can I change my baby's surname on the birth certificate?

Does a deed poll change my baby's birth certificate?

Do both parents need to agree to change a baby's name?

Changing Your Baby's Name After Registering the Birth

Changing a first name within 12 months

Changing a surname

After the 12 months

Making a deed poll for your baby

What is your new name?

A few details about you

Your witnesses

Common questions

Can I change my baby's name after registering the birth?

How much does it cost to change a baby's first name on the birth certificate?

Can I change my baby's surname on the birth certificate?

Does a deed poll change my baby's birth certificate?

Do both parents need to agree to change a baby's name?

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