Genealogy Chat

nudge

I am not entirely sure of my facts, here, but wouldnt have thought a Registrar would issue a new birth certificate in a different surname without some sort of legal document. Unless of course, stepfather was REALLY her biological father and swore an affidavit to that effect? Its not the same, I know, but when I remarried in the 1970s, I tried to change my daughter's surname to that of her stepfather. I was told by various people that I could not do this, unless I had A. - her father's permission B - my new husband adopted her. We compromised by giving her a double barrelled surname, but the school, for instance, refused to use this name. OC

Thanks for the tips. Will look into it. It concerns a small daughter having her name changed to her stepfather's...he didn't adopt but wondered if the name change had to be done legally, as her surname was changed to his and a new birth certificate issued.

Not sure what you mean by 'changed legally'. It's perfectly legal to call yourself whatever you want, provided you don't intend to defraud anyone. Banks like proof of identity of course, but years ago when people didn't have bank accounts or passports they often just called themselves something else. The Nat Archives has an online research leaflet about name changes, deed polls etc: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=176&j=1

How would one go about finding if a person's name was changed legally but not adopted? Talking in the 1940's here.

Have found out since, that the stepfather claimed to be the natural father, but wasn't! So he must have lied in order to get a new birth certificate. What you said makes perfect sense....thanks very much for your reply.