Changing the first name of your child

If you decide to change your child's first name(s) within 12 months of the date of the birth being registered, you can do so on the original birth registration.

Baptised children

If the child has been baptised in the Christian faith within 12 months of being registered you can get a form from the Register Office to take to the Minister of the Church where the child was baptised. Once this form has been completed it needs to be returned to the Register Office and the new names can be added. This process can be done at any time after the birth as long as the baptism took place within 12 months of the registration. You can then buy certified copies from this new registration.

  • The full copy certificate will include both the original name and the new name given in baptism.
  • The short version certificate will only record the child's amended baptismal forename(s).

Non-baptised children

If the child has not been baptised the parents can complete a form at the Register Office. Once again this can be done at any time after the birth as long as it can be proved that the change of name took place within 12 months of the birth being registered. Once the form has been completed the amended name(s) will be added to the original birth registration. Certified copies of the amended registration can then be bought.

  • The full copy certificate will contain both the original name and the new name.
  • The short version certificate will only record the child's amended forename.

Costs

The cost to change your child's first name(s) will be £40.

Register office

Telephone: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm. Building opening times: 9.00am - 4.30pm Mondays and Wednesdays, 10.00am - 4.30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.00am - 4.00pm Fridays.

Address: Cheylesmore Manor House
Manor House Drive
Coventry
CV1 2ND

Telephone: 024 7683 3141