[Solved] Proof of my daughter's name change?

I'm not sure about this - assuming you have PR, you could tell the school that your daughter's name has been changed without your permission, and that it should revert to her original surname, unless they have proof otherwise. I'm not sure if it will work, but it doesn't do any harm to try.

I definitely signed a document to give permission for it to be changed, but it's whether my ex actually sent off the document. I'm trying to find out the name of the place I need to contact who deal with all the name changes and certificates. I know it's London, but can't remember the name. I spoke to the school and told them that her surname isn't as they have it on their system, and they said I need to provide a birth certificate.

Well, you should be able to provide a birth certificate as you can get this from the registrars office - this will obviously have your name on it, so then it could be for your ex to prove that it's changed (which is what you are after, of she has done so).

I suspect that the place in London used to be Somerset House, but they don't hold these records any longer - again, the local registrar may be able to help.

I will contact the local registrar. Hopefully they will be able to tell me where the name change is held, etc.

Cheers.

I had exactly the same with my three children. The eldest turned up for contact with a form already signed by their mother and I was put in a position where I had to sign it as my eldest was tearful when I said I would think about it. A year later the other two did exactly the same. I have since found out that at school they are using just their mothers name instead of the double barrelled name signed for. I did a search and have found out that 2 of the 3 have changed their names, no idea why the third isn't showing up as yet.

Look at https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ and search for your childs name. If it has been changed it should appear in the notices on here.

Thanks for the link. Do you just type the 'new' double-barrelled name in the search box where it says search the archives? That's what I did and it just found one result from 1967.

I phoned my local registry office. They said they don't deal with name changes. I then found this number for the General Register Office: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/public-records. There was no change on their system. They said the only other way she could have done it was by deed poll. Trouble is, there are countless deed poll services, so finding the right one would be a game of chance.

My plan is to send a blunt email to my ex (and less something turns up on that website you linked me to), and I suggest you do the same, saying that as I have never received evidence from her, she has a week to supply a certificate or similar, along with contact details for the deed poll service she used so I can get my own copy, at which point if I haven't received anything I will be going to the school, doctor, etc, with my daughter's original birth certificate. I guess it depends what the relationship is like with your ex, but I know for me personally, this is the only way of getting it sorted. If I don't give her a deadline I'll be waiting my whole life for it and it will never turn up.

Ultimately, it's the children who get hurt by this. My daughter gets so confused and visibly upset about not knowing what her surname is, because I tell her the truth, and mummy lies, when all the other children (give or take) know their names, I can see it's distressing for her, and I don't think we should be allowing that to continue, for their sakes.

It should show up with your childs original name. Two of mine did but the third didn't, the two that showed up were changed by deed poll. Check the original name first just in case it's changed to her mothers name, failing that it looks like the email is the only other route.

Good luck.

Hi

Yes, pursue with the school & provide proof.

I would personally tell the mother that you did not give permission for a change to her surname, but to add hers to yours and can she please provide you with evidence of the name change.

If the school and the mother don't play ball, you can make a court application for a Specific Issue Order using a C100 form