Change your child's name by deed poll

A child deed poll is a legal document that changes the name of a child.

You can change your child's name by deed poll if they're under 16 and live in Northern Ireland.

Who needs to agree

Everyone with parental responsibility for your child must agree to the change and sign the deed poll.

A mother always has parental responsibility. A father has it if:

• he was married to the mother when the child was born
• he's named on the birth certificate, for births registered in Northern Ireland on or after 15th April 2002
• he has a parental responsibility agreement or court order

Adoptive parents, appointed guardians and anyone given parental responsibility by a court also have it.

How to apply

Before you apply, check that everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the change. You can then apply online, and you'll need:

• your child's current name
• the name you want to change it to
• the names of everyone with parental responsibility
• your address in Northern Ireland
• an email address

After you apply

You will receive a confirmation email once you've applied.

Your child's deed poll should arrive within 4 working days.

Signing your child's deed poll

Everyone with parental responsibility needs to sign the deed poll in front of 2 witnesses, who then sign it too.

Almost anyone can be a witness, as long as they're 18 or over, know you personally, and aren't a close relative or someone you live with.

Most people ask a friend, neighbour or colleague.

Your child's deed poll becomes legally valid once everyone with parental responsibility and their witnesses have signed it.

Updating your child's records

You can use your child's deed poll to update their name with organisations such as:

• their school
• their GP and dentist
• HM Passport Office

Each organisation has its own process, and there's no deadline for telling them.

Choosing your child's new name

You can change your child's first name, middle names or surname, add or remove names, or change the spelling. Their new name cannot:

• include numbers or symbols, other than hyphens and apostrophes
• be offensive
• suggest a title they're not entitled to, such as Lord or Lady

If someone does not agree or cannot be contacted

If someone with parental responsibility does not agree to the change, you can:

• try mediation
• apply to a court
• wait until your child turns 16, when they can change their name themselves

If you cannot contact the other parent, you'll need to make genuine efforts to reach them and keep evidence of your attempts. You cannot change your child's name only because the other parent is out of contact.

If your child is 16 or 17

Your child can apply for their own deed poll without anyone else's agreement.