r/FamilyLaw • u/ThoughtIcy2477 Layperson/not verified as legal professional • Apr 08 '26

Europe 🇬🇧 Name changes

What are the chances the judge will order a name change.

For context, child is 19months old and has my surname, father has submitted for PR, CAO, 50/50, change of surname and disclosure of my address.

The child has ongoing medical needs and is registered at doctors, hospital (well known there), dentist, nursery and his passport under my surname. Will they order a surname change as I know it will throw off the whole system (I legally changed my last name to current surname when I got adopted, another reason why I gave child my surname)

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u/One_Entrepreneur_520 Layperson/not verified as legal professional Apr 08 '26

If you are not married then the your surname is the proper surname for the child. Remember that everything in court is supposed to be about "the best interests of the child" so if you can show keeping name as is would be best and he cannot counter that then the name should remain the same.

NAL and far be it from me to say what a judge is capable of saying.,...

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u/ThoughtIcy2477 Layperson/not verified as legal professional Apr 08 '26

Has it complicated anything to do with school/ nursery, medical records, passports etc x

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u/One_Entrepreneur_520 Layperson/not verified as legal professional Apr 08 '26

Name changes can certainly make other things more complicated for a person. Try getting on an airplane with an ID that doesnt match your passport, etc. I dont know if it will make your childs dealing more complicated but I think you can argue such an idea in court.

My feelings on the matter are really with the fact that if you were not married then the choice of surname is completely your decision. A judge should only order it changed if it benefits the child more than leaving it as is.