Change of name - birth certificate/ deed poll?

[MorganRee]

Hi,Not sure of this is the right place for this but i really hope someone can help because I seem to be going in circles trying to figure this out myself!
Sorting out my wedding abroad and part of the process is getting the right documents together. One of them being a birth certificate.
I was born in Scotland with the surname, lets say Smith. Quite a few years ago I changed the surname on my birth ceritificate to my stepdads name, Jones.
Jones is the name I go by. Drivers license, passport etc etc.
Now my query is, is the fact I changed it on my birth certificate mean that I am legally known as Jones? Or should I have done it by deed poll? I need to have certain documents translated and verified by the Dominican Embassay (where I'm getting married) and I'm worried they're going to question the fact my birth certicate says previously known as Smith.
Will I need some sort of letter written by a solicitor?

Thanks in advance!

[Amethyst]

Re: Change of name - birth certificate/ deed poll?

It isn';t something I know anything about but I don't think it will cause you a problem - it seems that deed poll is just a quicker easier way to change the name you are known as than changing the actual birth certifcate and either/or are valid and accepted.

Changing a person's forename(s) and/or surname who is at least two years of age
For persons aged two years and over, an application can be made to change of forename(s) and/or surname recorded in the birth register. For a person under 16 years of age, the application must be signed by everyone with parental responsibility. In the subsequent issue of a birth certificate the original forename(s) and surname are shown in addition to the new name. The fee (as at January 2012) for recording a change of name is £55 (fee includes one new birth certificate).

Because of the higher cost and the longer time it takes to register a name change in Scotland, most people who were born or adopted in Scotland who wish to change their name do so by Deed Poll.



also


There are a few circumstances that enable you to get your, or your child's, name entry in the birth register amended. Consequently, a new birth certificate can be issued showing the new or amended name details. If you are able to get a new birth certificate issued, a Deed Poll is not required as the new birth certificate will be accepted by everyone as documentary evidence of the change of name thus enabling all documents and records to be changed to the new name.

Also http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regsc...e-of-name.html GRO Scotland site.