Which court to apply to for a name change?

[Skippy]

Our nephew has been living with us for 14 months on a special guardianship order. He now calls us mum and dad, and has had no contact with his parents for more than a year, and has asked if he can change his surname to match ours.

We live in a different court catchment area to the one which granted the SGO, so if we apply to the court for the name change (parents have declined their consent), should we apply to our local court, or to the one that granted the SGO.

Does anyone have experience of going back to court to request this? Do we need a solicitor, or can we do it ourselves?

[Skippy]

Seven. Parents won't give consent, so we know that we need to get a court order.

[David Roth]

Skippy, the Ministry of Justice website has a section on changing names by deed poll: https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

There is a further link on that page, which you have to follow for information about changing a child's name.