You can change your child's forename(s) on the original birth entry if new forenames have been used within 12 months of the date of the birth registration either by baptism or on a certificate of naming.
Please note that this must be completed before any application to re-register the birth is made.
By Baptism
If your child has been baptised in a Christian church within 12 months from the date of registration with forenames that differ from those in the original birth entry, a certificate of name given in Baptism (PDF) should be given to the vicar or minister of the church where the baptism took place for completion and signature.
Certificate of Naming
If your child has not been baptised but you have used different forenames within 12 months of the date of registration, you should complete a certificate of name not given in Baptism (PDF).
The forms can be downloaded and printed or ask your local register office to send you a copy. The relevant form must be completed by hand with original signatures and returned to the register office that holds the birth record.
Where more than 12 months have elapsed since the date of registration, you should contact us as you will need to provide documentary evidence to prove the change took place within the 12 months from the date of registration.
How will the new name appear on the birth registration?
The change to the forename(s) will be entered into the birth register entry. Although the names given to the child at the time of the original registration will still appear, the new name is shown in Space 17 at the bottom of the entry. Any previous names given at the time of the birth are superseded by the amendment.
Do we need to attend an appointment to make the change?
An appointment is not required to make the change. Please download and print off the application form. Before submitting the paperwork, the applicant must complete and sign the form, within 12 months of the registration date. This document should then be posted together with a contact telephone number on a separate piece of paper to:
Guildford Register Office
Artington House
42 Portsmouth Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4DZ
How much will it cost?
You will receive a call from Guildford Register Office, who will take payment. A statutory fee of £44 will be charged for this service. The application will be processed within 10 working days of receipt. The registrar will call or email to confirm the change has been actioned.
Can we get new certificates with the change of name on it?
Yes, certified copies of the entry can be purchased for a fee after the change has been actioned.
We are not having our child baptised and we wish to change their name later than 12 months after the original registration. Can we still do this?
Where it is not possible to change the forenames by either of the above methods, you could consider completing a 'deed poll' or a 'change of name deed'. The new name cannot be added or included on the birth register entry but it is a legal way to change a person's name. Further information can be obtained from Gov.uk, the Citizens Advice Bureau or a solicitor.
Files available to download
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Certificate of Name given in Baptism (PDF)
Form for completion where forenames given in Baptism are to be added to an existing birth registration -
Certificate of Name Given Not in Baptism (PDF)
Form for completion where forenames not given in Baptism are to be added to an existing birth registration
