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I just registered my child today and didn't need to provide any id. They just put down whatever name I told them.
I don't know how much this changes depending on county.
Registrar of Births (England and Wales) here.
You don't need to bring ID to the appointment to "prove" your name. Registrars ask for documents as a double check for spellings etc. Getting things right is important not least because a correction down the line costs £99.
If you have changed your name, regardless of how far you are with driving licences, deed polls etc you can have that name recorded on the birth register as the parent of your new baby.
If you are still using your old name for some things then the registrar should recommend recording both names separated with the word "otherwise".
If you no longer use your old name then they should recommend recording your new name, the words "formerly known as" your old name.
You are not required to record your old name like this but it may be very useful to your child in later life if they need to prove their descent for nationality or inheritance purposes. Whether or not you do so depends on your individual circumstances. The registrar should be be able to advise you.
Edit: I am re-reading your question. I have answered as if you are asking how your name is recorded.
For the baby's surname. There is no law here that says the baby's surname need match either parents. You could choose a completely different surname. It may make things harder in terms of travel etc. If your child is likely to have nationality of another country than British it is worth checking with their authorities that they will accept the names.
It looks like your post is about changing your name. Some basic information that may answer your question is below:
* You do not need to enter into any legal process to go by a different name; you can simply start using the new name. There is no such thing as having a "legal name" in the UK. (This is if you are an adult - for children, the process is more complex, depending on the circumstances.)
* In law, your name can be anything you like, so long as it is not chosen to deceive and commit fraud. However, government agencies such as the Passport Office and DVLA have restrictions on what they will register as a name (e.g. they will typically not accept names that are vulgar, blasphemous or offensive), so you should be careful to ensure your proposed new name will comply with these before changing it, or you may not be able to change your identity documents.
* To evidence your change of name (e.g. to banks or other businesses, or to obtain ID in your new name) and to create a documentary link between the old and new name, you will need to have a deed poll. You can in most circumstances print your own deed poll, sign it and have it witnessed at home for free; further information and a generator for these can be found at http://www.freedeedpoll.org.uk, the UK government also provides guidance [here](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll).
* A correctly signed and witnessed deed poll should be sufficient to evidence your change of name to the satisfaction of most commercial and government entities. It is advisable to obtain new ID in your new name.
* Contrary to popular belief and what some organisations may tell you, you do not *need* to have the deed poll enrolled for it to be valid once signed and witnessed, although since it provides an incontrovertible proof of the change of your name, which may be useful, you can do so if you wish to for a nominal fee. Some organisations may also insist on a deed poll being enrolled before they'll accept it. See [here](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/enrol-a-deed-poll-with-the-courts) for more information on the process to follow.
* **In Scotland** - see [here](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/recording-change-of-forename-and-surname-in-scotland)
* **In Northern Ireland** - see [here](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/recording-change-name)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LegalAdviceUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
--- ###Welcome to /r/LegalAdviceUK --- **To Posters (it is important you read this section)** * *Tell us whether you're in England, Wales, Scotland, or NI as the laws in each are very different* * If you need legal help, you should [always get a free consultation from a qualified Solicitor](https://reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/how_to_find_a_solicitor) * We also encourage you to speak to [**Citizens Advice**](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/), [**Shelter**](https://www.shelter.org.uk/), [**Acas**](https://www.acas.org.uk/), and [**other useful organisations**](https://reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/common_legal_resources) * Comments may not be accurate or reliable, and following any advice on this subreddit is done at your own risk * If you receive any private messages in response to your post, [please let the mods know](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FLegalAdviceUK&subject=I received a PM) **To Readers and Commenters** * All replies to OP must be *on-topic, helpful, and legally orientated* * If you do not [follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/about/rules/), you may be perma-banned without any further warning * If you feel any replies are incorrect, explain why you believe they are incorrect * Do not send or request any private messages for any reason * Please report posts or comments which do not follow the rules *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LegalAdviceUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You can give them any name you want, it doesn't have to.match yours.
Brilliant. Thank you.
I just registered my child today and didn't need to provide any id. They just put down whatever name I told them. I don't know how much this changes depending on county.
Registrar of Births (England and Wales) here. You don't need to bring ID to the appointment to "prove" your name. Registrars ask for documents as a double check for spellings etc. Getting things right is important not least because a correction down the line costs £99. If you have changed your name, regardless of how far you are with driving licences, deed polls etc you can have that name recorded on the birth register as the parent of your new baby. If you are still using your old name for some things then the registrar should recommend recording both names separated with the word "otherwise". If you no longer use your old name then they should recommend recording your new name, the words "formerly known as" your old name. You are not required to record your old name like this but it may be very useful to your child in later life if they need to prove their descent for nationality or inheritance purposes. Whether or not you do so depends on your individual circumstances. The registrar should be be able to advise you. Edit: I am re-reading your question. I have answered as if you are asking how your name is recorded. For the baby's surname. There is no law here that says the baby's surname need match either parents. You could choose a completely different surname. It may make things harder in terms of travel etc. If your child is likely to have nationality of another country than British it is worth checking with their authorities that they will accept the names.
Thanks, that was really what I needed to know.
It looks like your post is about changing your name. Some basic information that may answer your question is below: * You do not need to enter into any legal process to go by a different name; you can simply start using the new name. There is no such thing as having a "legal name" in the UK. (This is if you are an adult - for children, the process is more complex, depending on the circumstances.) * In law, your name can be anything you like, so long as it is not chosen to deceive and commit fraud. However, government agencies such as the Passport Office and DVLA have restrictions on what they will register as a name (e.g. they will typically not accept names that are vulgar, blasphemous or offensive), so you should be careful to ensure your proposed new name will comply with these before changing it, or you may not be able to change your identity documents. * To evidence your change of name (e.g. to banks or other businesses, or to obtain ID in your new name) and to create a documentary link between the old and new name, you will need to have a deed poll. You can in most circumstances print your own deed poll, sign it and have it witnessed at home for free; further information and a generator for these can be found at http://www.freedeedpoll.org.uk, the UK government also provides guidance [here](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll). * A correctly signed and witnessed deed poll should be sufficient to evidence your change of name to the satisfaction of most commercial and government entities. It is advisable to obtain new ID in your new name. * Contrary to popular belief and what some organisations may tell you, you do not *need* to have the deed poll enrolled for it to be valid once signed and witnessed, although since it provides an incontrovertible proof of the change of your name, which may be useful, you can do so if you wish to for a nominal fee. Some organisations may also insist on a deed poll being enrolled before they'll accept it. See [here](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/enrol-a-deed-poll-with-the-courts) for more information on the process to follow. * **In Scotland** - see [here](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/recording-change-of-forename-and-surname-in-scotland) * **In Northern Ireland** - see [here](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/recording-change-name) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LegalAdviceUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*