Child surname change

Redpunto

Due to certain norms I named all my children on their birth certs with my husbands surname - omitting mine. Is there a way to include my surname into their legal name?

Peregrinus

It's unlikely that you will be able to change the register of birth.

However a child's name can be changed by deed poll. If the child is over age 14 the child can sign a deed poll adopting an additional (or alternative) surname themselves, but they will need the consent of both parents. If the child is under 14, then one of the parents can sign a deed poll, with the consent of the other.

Either way, the bottom line is that your children's names cannot be altered without the agreement of your husband. Is he agreeable to them taking your surname as well as his?

On edit: Of course, if any of your children are already over 18 they can change their name by deed poll themselves, without needing the consent of either parent.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058338992/child-surname-change

Do you actually want to amend the entry on your childrens' birth certificates, or just add your name to theirs formally?

If it is the former, it is possible to amend the register of births, but only in very, very specific and limited circumstances.

If you weren't married at the time the births were registered, you can apply to re-register the births, which means you have the opportunity to amend / add to the surname as part of the process. As Peregrinus has already pointed out, both parents have to agree to the surname assigned, and make separate declarations agreeing to this. On an application to assign a different surname they will write to each parent separately for their consent, and give them 28 days to respond. If both parents do not consent, no changes can be made.

If its the latter, and you'd be satisfied with just adding your surname formally, than your name can be added by deed poll, but this will not amend the register of births, or your childrens' birth certificates.

Contact the Civil Registration Service, for more information.

notfragile

You can apply to amend their birth certificates to add your surname as a middle name. This involves filling out an application form with your local registrar's office and providing documentation like marriage/birth certificates.

Ezeoul

Just another thing to mention if assigning (or amending) a surname to a child's birth certificate, and hyphenation.

If you assign both parents' surnames to a child, and hyphenate them e.g. "O'Carroll-Kelly", then the double barrell is the name that must be used for all formal purposes, e.g. passport, school registeration, etc.

If you assign both parents' surnames to a child without hyphenation,e.g "O'Carroll Kelly" then either surname can be used as a single barrell surname, or both can be used as a double barrell surname.

The purpose of not hypenating them means that when the child is of an appropriate age, they can decide which surname they wish to by known by, or they can use both.

Donald Trump

The child's name is what they are known by. Theoretically, they just have to start using the other name. Although there can be a bit of chicken-and-egg/catch-22 to that

Redpunto

Thanks so much for all the info - appreciate it