Congratulations on your recent marriage! As you navigate the exciting journey of married life, you might be considering a double-barrelled surname. It's a popular choice for many couples in the UK, allowing both partners to retain a connection to their original family names. While changing your own surname is fairly straightforward, a common question arises: what about your children? Whether you already have little ones or are planning for the future, understanding how a double-barrelled surname affects them is important.
Choosing a Double-Barrelled Surname for Yourself
First, let's briefly touch on your own name change. In the UK, when you marry, you can choose to take your spouse's surname, keep your own, or combine them to create a double-barrelled surname. This can be done by simply using your marriage certificate as proof. There's no need for a deed poll for yourself if your new double-barrelled name incorporates your original surname and your spouse's in a conventional way (e.g., Smith-Jones).
If you both wish to double-barrel your surnames, you can either take one of your surnames and add the other, or combine both if you both wish to take a new double-barrelled name for your own identities.
Children Born After You Double-Barrel Your Name
If you decide to double-barrel your surname after marriage and then have children, the process for them is quite simple. When you register their birth, you can naturally give them your new double-barrelled surname. As parents, you have the right to choose the surname for your child, and since it’s now your legal surname, there won't be any complications.
It's a good idea for both parents to agree on the surname for the child before registration. Whichever surname you decide upon will be reflected on their birth certificate from day one.
Children Born Before You Double-Barrel Your Name
This is where it can get a little more involved, but it is certainly doable. If your children were born before you double-barrelled your surname, or if one parent has kept their original surname while the other has double-barrelled, you have a few options for their surname.
- Keep their current surname: There's no requirement for your children to have the same surname as you, especially if they already have one. This is a common choice, particularly for older children.
- Change their surname by Deed Poll: To formally change a child's surname to match your new double-barrelled name, you will usually need a Deed Poll. Both parents with parental responsibility must consent to this change. If only one parent has parental responsibility, or if one parent cannot be found, the process becomes more complex.
- Re-register the birth (under certain circumstances): If the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth but marry later, and both parents are listed on the original birth certificate, you can apply to re-register the birth to add or change details, including the surname. This isn't always applicable to simply adding a double-barrelled name if you were already married at the time of birth, however.
Practical Considerations for Your Child's Name Change
Once your child's surname has been formally changed (typically via Deed Poll), you'll need to update their records across various organisations. This includes their school, doctor's surgery, passport (if they have one), and any other organisations they are connected with. Ensure you have the original Deed Poll and their new birth certificate (if applicable) ready as proof.
It's worth considering your child's feelings, especially if they are older. A surname change can be a significant event for them, so open communication about the reasons and their preferences is always a good idea.