Service
Change of Name Deeds
Advice on the legal process of changing a child’s name.
Insight | For Individuals
Changing a Child’s Name
Under the Children Act 1989, the child’s well-being is the top priority in any decision about their upbringing, including whether their name should be changed. When disagreements arise over a child’s name, courts can use two types of legal orders: a Specific Issues Order (SIO) or a Prohibited Steps Order (PSO).
An SIO is used when parents or guardians cannot agree on a name change. In these cases, the court determines what’s best for the child. The decision is based on factors such as the child’s age, the reason behind the name change, and how it could affect their identity and emotional health.
A PSO, on the other hand, prevents one parent from changing the child’s name without the other’s agreement. This order is especially important if the name change could harm the child’s sense of stability, create confusion, or cause emotional distress.
Ultimately, the court’s goal in both cases is to ensure that any decision—whether it allows or blocks a name change—protects the child’s well-being. This includes safeguarding their right to grow up in a stable, secure, and supportive environment, as the Children Act 1989 emphasises.
If you need assistance changing your child’s name, contact our family law solicitors in Milton Keynes.
Contact Us Let's have a chat
Meet our Family Law Legal Team
Our family solicitors in Milton Keynes have in-depth expertise across a wide range of legal issues. We will deal sensitively with your case and ensure you have the support you need.
Where Next?
We think you might be interested in the following content...
Related Services
Related Insights
Insight
Divorce Procedure in England and Wales
Personal Law
Insight
What is Divorce Mediation? Understanding the Mediation Process in Divorce or Separation
Personal Law
Insight
Do Step-Parents Have Parental Responsibility? And How Can They Obtain it?
Personal Law
Insight
How Can Parental Responsibility Be Removed from a Father?
Personal Law
Insights
Ideas, articles and topical insights covering family, divorce, residential conveyancing, Wills, trusts and probate and much more...
All Insights
Let's start a journey together…
Let us know how we can help you regarding changing a child’s name. Complete the form below for more information and please provide us with a brief breakdown of your current situation and your requirements.
Any data that you submit using this web form will be held by our firm as Data Controller and will be held securely for 12 months before being securely and confidentially destroyed. Your data will not be disclosed to any third parties without your consent or as otherwise allowed by the relevant Data Protection legislation and will only be used for responding to your query (or purposes associated with that purpose).
You have the right to be informed about what data we hold about you along with other rights set out in the legislation. Further information about your rights under the data protection legislation can be found at www.ico.org.uk
Full details can be found on our website at privacy policy.
If you would like a callback from one of our experts at Heald Solicitors, please let us know what would be a good time to call you. Alternatively, submit your enquiry, and we will follow up confidentially by email.