[Solved] Is the surname change mandatory after marriage?

Hi there.

As I understand it your child's name can stay the same as it is now and doesn't need to change to match your ex.

If your ex wants to change their name then she would need to do this officially and you should have a say in whether this happens.

GTTS

Your ex cannot legally change the name of the kids without your consent.

However, unless ordered by court not to, there is nothing stopping her from asking for them to be known by another name, she just cannot legally change it without your consent.

So.....she cannot change it with the authorities, school, doctors, etc...
she could ask school to call the child by another name but will have to prove she can - i.e. there is no court order stopping her to do so.

I went through this a few years ago and she then tried to get court to allow her to change my childs name to her surname, I had to put my reasoning why I didn't want that to happen and the judge agreed that as my child's surname is double barrelled already then it shouldn't be changed to incorporate hers. i think it was that and the fact the judge was p*ssed off with her being unreasonable about contact too.

The change is not mandatory. They keep their existing surnames unless both parents with parental responsibility agree...... along with the children if they are old enough to have a say..... and should have a say!.....in my opinion.
I've read that in cases where you have separated you have to go to court to get it changed if you both don't agree..... so it seems to me that there is a lot of significance..... there is certainly a lot of significance to me..... and i'm sure to my children..... its a part of who they are.... their identity..... and to change it on a whim like that..... well.... obviously there is a big significance to a child otherwise you wouldn't have to put it to a judge ..... I suppose i view it like i view religion...... its a part of who you are..... and when you get old enough to understand the implications of changing it and you want to change it...... then fine.

What type of reasons? just those such as its the family name, her brothers have same surname, im her father by blood etc.

Would it be worth me visiting this topic during our time in court to get it nipped in the bud? Not sure whether to raise too many issues but rather get it done with in one go

Hi There,
.
If you are still in the court proccess then I would raise this whilst in court and get it covered off, if you can gain a order which states that the childrens names stay as they are then you know that you have that covered and if she were to go against it you have some come back.
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GTTS