[Rogue]

I did that too moocow. I decided I didn't want my father's name, so told my mother (I was such a darling sixteen year old) that we were changing to her maiden name. My grandparents had three daughters, so there was no one to carry on that name, so I thought it was a nice idea.

We're lucky here in England, you don't have the place the announcements. I spoke to my solicitor, and we simply had to draw up the deed poll and sign it in old and new names. Although it wasn't official official until I was eighteen, as I didn't have the father's permission, we reasoned that by the time he found out, raised an objection, and it got to court, I would be 18 as it was only 18 months away.

You're also right about birth certificates, you either have to have the father present, or can present your marriage certificate if you're married. I don't know if you can change your birth certificate though, as I still have my birth name on mine, and have to also present my deed poll certificate.