Change of Name: The Law and Practice(Wildy Practice Guides)

There are many reasons why a person may wish to be known by a different name – on marriage breakdown, or to be relieved of an embarrassment, for example. An adult is free to use any name that he or she chooses, provided that the objective is lawful. For many purposes, however, it is wise to have some formal evidence of a change of name, by deed poll or statutory declaration, or by some other procedure. This can usually be done quickly, cheaply and effectively. The change in the concept and nature of a family unit, which now includes not only single parents and step-parents but also same-sex parents, biological and non-biological parents, raises complex issues. It gives rise to many questions about the names by which children may be registered, how and on what basis a child's name may be changed and the factors which the courts take into account when deciding any dispute relating to a change of a child's name, between the parents or persons having parental responsibility for the child. Formerly published by Callow Publishing, Change of Name provides a practical and straightforward guide to this sometimes tricky area of law. Fully up-to-date, the third edition deals with the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, particularly in relation to Special Guardians, the impact of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004, clearly explaining the procedures to be followed. The range of precedents provided by Her Honour Judge Pearce will prove invaluable to the busy practitioner.

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction 2 Registration and Re-registration under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 3 Changing a Child’s Name 4 Change of Name by Deed Poll 5 Other Methods of Changing a Name 6 Requirements of Some of the Professional Bodies 7 Effects of Changing a Name APPENDICES - FORMS AND PRECEDENTS A.1 Forms 1 Particulars of birth 2 Declaration/statement for the registration/re-registration of a birth 3 Certificate that name was given in baptism 4 Certificate that name was given otherwise than in baptism 5 Statement for the re-registration of a birth 6A Declaration by parent on request for the registration of a birth 6B Declaration by parent on request for the re-registration of a birth 7 HFEA PP consent form 8 HFEA WP consent form 9 Standard Election Form under the HFEA 1990 as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Act 2003 10 Standard application form A.2 Precedents 1 Deed of change of name (for enrolment) 2 Deed of change of name (not for enrolment) 3 Deed of change of name made on behalf of a child (not for enrolment) 4 Deed of change of name made on behalf of a child under sixteen (for enrolment) 5 Statutory declaration in support of change of name deed 6 Statutory declaration in support of deed changing the name of a child 7 Consent of spouse to enrolment of change of name deed 8 Consent of wife and mother where husband executes a family deed 9 Consent of a child over sixteen to change of name by deed 10 Affidavit by married woman seeking dispensation from requirement for husband’s consent to change of name by deed 11 Affidavit that change of name of a child is for the benefit of the child 12 Advertisement of change of name by deed for publication in the London Gazette 13 Advertisement of change of name of a child by deed for publication in the London Gazette 14 Statutory declaration effecting change of name 15 Statutory declaration effecting change of name of a child 16 Statutory declaration for a change of name on gender reassignment Index

About the Author :
Nasreen Pearce is a retired circuit judge, and was formerly a district judge in the Principal Registry of the Family Division. She has written widely on family law and is a contributor to the Family Court Practice.