Changing the surname of a child
The surname of a child can be changed in the Register of Births but only in certain circumstances. However, the surname of a child can also be changed by deed poll or common usage. Children aged between 14 and 17 years can execute the Deed Poll themselves but need the consent of both parents. Where a child is under the age of 14 years, one of the child's parents must execute the Deed Poll with the consent of the other parent.
Enrolment of a deed poll
The advantage of changing your name by deed poll is that a record of the change is kept for future identification. This can be attached to your birth certificate, is acceptable for most administrative procedures and provides an easy and inexpensive solution to most of the difficulties that can arise when you change your name.
You can get a solicitor to do the deed poll for you or you can do it yourself.
If you apply to officially change your name in Ireland, your deed poll enrolls or registers your name change with the High Court.
Rules
If you are doing the deed poll yourself, you will have to call in person to the Deed Poll Section, Central Office, the Four Courts. It is not possible to apply online for this service.
As every case involving an official name change is different, staff in Deed Poll Section will provide advice and information to you on an individual basis.
Rates
If you do the deed poll yourself, you will have to pay Stamp Duty of €32.
There may also be small charge to have the declaration (affidavit) sworn at a Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitors. (There is no fixed rate of charges for legal fees in Ireland, so enquire in advance for information on this charge).
How to apply
There are no pre-printed forms available to apply for a deed poll for a change of name. Instead, Deed Poll Section will provide you with appropriate written precedents on the type of wording you should use on your deed poll. Your application must use this wording together with your own particulars and be written on deed paper (available in stationery shops or from your solicitor).
After you have completed your application you then have your declaration (affidavit) sworn at a Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitors. You must then lodge your application together with the long-form of your birth certificate with Deed Poll Section. You must then bring these documents back in person (you cannot post them) to the Four Courts where you will have to pay the Stamp Duty.
Further information is available in FLAC's [broken link removed] booklet.
Where To apply
Deed Poll Section
Central Office of the High Court
Four Courts
Ground Floor (East Wing)
Inns Quay
Dublin 7
Ireland
Tel:(01) 888 6000
Fax:(01) 888 6125
Homepage: http://www.courts.ie/offices.nsf/0/B43B2E45023B633B802573D10045B030?OpenDocument
Email: DeedPollQuery@courts.ie
Page updated: 20 April 2010
Before we make our final decision wondering if any fellow askaboutmoney colleagues have been down this road before and have any advice they would like to share.
Jim2007 - as mentioned in my reply to truthseeker hoping that the deed poll change will result in passports going with the common usage single name surname. Hoping that this would help ensure there is limited or even no confustion when securing work permits. Is this assumption correct?
Other examples of when it can be annoying is when booking flights. My oldest is fine as their passport, last renewed in 2008, reflects the single name. However my youngest was not so fortunate with their renewal in 2010 where she needed to go by the birth cert name.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?