Changing childs name from natural father to one that actually brings them up.....?

Question

My friend has brought up his partners daughter since she was 3 years old.
As a consequence, the daughter assumed his surname ever since.
She is now 16 years old.
She knows her real fathers name etc and totally accepts her "assumed" name and wants to keep it.
She even has a bank account in the "new" name also.
What needs to be done legally for work reasons, national Insurance reasons etc etc so that she can work, and even obtain a passport.
She would never want to use her old identity now.

Great answers so far.........Thank You.
The question is UK law only though.
I must stress that:
She has since 3 years old only been the "assumed" name.
She is registered with banks, schools, hospitals, dentist etc under this name.
She has never used her birth name!
Question is how does she legally go about formally changing it for work and passport reasons etc.
She has a part time job now and the employer wants her National Insurance number, but this is not forthcoming by the UK government as she doesn't exist!
What next?

Answer 1

she just has to change her name by deed poll. trip to solicitors and €200 is all it cost us.

Answer 2

She may have to wait till she is 18 to do it without her natural father's permission, but once she is legally old enough she can use whatever name she wants.

You don't have to pay to do it by dead poll, as long as you are not changing your name for fraudulant reasons ie trying to get out of paying off a debt or avoiding the law for a crime you've committed you can call yourself whatever you want. All you have to do is write to everyone you deal with ie bank, income tax and national insurance people, passport office (including relevant fee to get a new passport), GP, employer, local council for council tax, ulitity suppliers etc etc and state that from x date the person previously known as Jane Smith will be known as Sarah Jones. That's exactly what I did when I got divorced and reverted to my maiden name and I didn't have to provide a copy of my decree absolute or anything. NB This applies to UK, laws in other countries may differ.

Answer 3

Thats fine. She can obtain a passport no problem. All she has to do is submit a solemn declaration stating that she has been know and has used the "new name" since 3 years old for all intent and purposes ( any post office should have the correct wording - I know our post office has) She signs this and also has it counter signed by a Justice of the Peace. This is totally acceptable. It is not necessary to have the name changed by Deed poll. There isn't a problem with the inland revenue either, she just fills in the forms in the name she is using.

Answer 4

If you live in the US, she (or Mom actually) would have to petition the court for a name change. Dad will be notified and given the opportunity to contest it. IF he contest it and he’s been a part of her life--even if it was only by paying child support--it’s not going to be allowed. At 18, she can change it without needing Dad’s consent.

Answer 5

The law is that you can call yourself anything you want as long as it is not for fraudulent purposes (in UK).

Answer 6

I think the person who brings up a child is the "real" father...it takes more than ejaculation to make a kid...and a hell of a lot more to make an adult...

Answer 7

She has to change her name by deed poll---she can do this on-line or via a solicitor

Answer 8

i dont know where you are from but in britain a justice of the peace can sort it out im sure

Answer 9

Depends on what government you are under.

Answer 10

cannot be done without her fathers permission I wanted to change my kids back to my maiden name when their dad left he wouldn,t allow me to