Changing Your Baby's Name
In a Worcestershire Register Office

A guide for parents

Can the change of name be recorded at any time?
Only new names given to the baby within 12 months of the birth registration can be recorded. If you want to have the new names added to the birth register after 12 months itshould be possible to do so as long as you can show that the new names have been used within the 12 months.


What sort of changes can be recorded?
The forename(s) in the birth entry can be changed completely, extra names can be added, or existing ones changed. There is no provision in this to record a change to the surname.


Who can change your baby's name on the birth certificate?
After the birth has been registered the law allows a mother, father or person with parental responsibility for the child, to change the name either:by calling the baby by the new name, or  

by having the baby baptised in new names

How do I apply to change the baby's name?
There is a form which needs to be filled in. This form is available from Register Offices.
If the baby was not baptised you need a Certificate of name given NOT in Baptism. (It is also known as a certificate of Naming).


What happens if the baby has been Baptised?
If the baby was baptised you need a Certificate of name given in Baptism completed by the Minister who has the register of baptisms.
If the baby has been baptised since the birth was registered, no change can be made to the birth register by substituting the baptismal name with another not given in baptism.


Some information you should know before filling in the form
The form needs to be filled in carefully. If you are adding a name to the one already on the birth certificate, you should show ALL the forenames you want the child to be known by in the space for the new name.

Where do I take the form?
Once the form is completed, it can be handed in at the Register Office where the baby's birth was registered.
If you do not live in the area where your baby was registered, the form can be sent by post.


When will I be able to have a new Certificate?
Once the new name has been included in the birth entry, a certificate can be bought from the Registrar. The current fee is available from the Registrar.


How will the new Certificate look?
A short certificate, which contains the child's name and surname, sex, date and place of birth, will show only the new name.
A full certificate will show all details of your baby's  birth, including the original name, but at the bottom of the certificate, the new name will be shown.
Once the new name has been inserted the name at the bottom of the certificate is treated as the correct full name of the child.


Do you need any more advice before you change your
baby's name?
This page is for guidance only and is not a complete statement of the law. If you need further advice please telephone your local Registrar.


Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Please remember that the change of name should be made for the benefit  of the child by someone who has parental responsibility for the child. You should take notice of any Court orders which exist about the naming of your child. It may be possible to change your child's name again in future, but not to record that change on the birth certificate.


If English is not the first language of the person changing the baby's name, a relative or friend may accompany the parent to the Register 0ffice.
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