About Rights of Women#
Rights of Women is a charity that gives women free, confidential legal advice and information on the law in England and Wales, with a particular focus on violence against women and girls. It describes itself as the only charity dedicated to frontline legal advice for women affected by that violence. It also campaigns for women's access to justice and safety. Its pages carry a safe exit button.
How its advice works#
Advice is given by telephone. The advice lines page lists separate lines for family law (including domestic abuse, separation, children and parental responsibility), criminal law, immigration and asylum law, and sexual harassment at work. Some evening sessions are staffed by volunteer women solicitors and barristers, so lines can close at short notice, and the charity asks callers to keep trying and to read its guides meanwhile. Calls cost the local rate. Telephone interpreting is available, and a friend or support worker can translate if you are present. A newer online service, FLOWS Answers, takes written criminal law questions. Rights of Women cannot give legal advice by email, and callers do not become ongoing clients.
What it says about a child's surname#
The guide "Children and the law: when parents separate" is a PDF on the family law information page. The file was first produced in 2014, so its wording is older than most pages in this directory, but its section on names is short and clear.
It says there are no legal rules or requirements written down for changing a child's surname, but clear guidance from the courts that you must first seek the permission of the child's other parent, specifically the biological father, and of anyone else with parental responsibility. That applies whether or not the father has parental responsibility. If you go ahead without his permission, he could ask the court for a specific issue order to change the name back. If you cannot get permission and still want the change, you should apply for a specific issue order yourself. Once the father or the court has agreed, you can make a statutory declaration or a change of name deed to change the surname formally.
The same guide explains prohibited steps orders, which the court can make to stop a parent changing a child's surname, among other things, and notes that in an emergency these can be made without the other parent being told of the hearing first.
The court route today#
The family court fee for a new Children Act application, such as a specific issue order or a prohibited steps order, is £270 in HMCTS's fee list (EX50), and help with fees can reduce it. Where there has been domestic abuse, the court route has safeguards, including exemptions from the usual mediation meeting and legal aid in some cases. Your own name, as an adult, needs nobody's agreement, and an unenrolled deed poll is not published anywhere.
Where the handbook goes further#
- Changing your name after domestic abuse: your name, your children's, and the court's safeguards.
- Can my ex change our child's surname?: prohibited steps orders in practice.
- Specific issue orders: how the court weighs a child's name.
- Charities that help after domestic abuse.
This page describes what Rights of Women publishes on its own website, read on 26 October 2026. Rights of Women has not reviewed it, and listing a charity here does not mean it recommends this handbook or any deed poll service.
