Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2023
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied) to change their daughter's name on her birth certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31407/23]
View answerThe requirements for birth registration are contained in Part 3 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (the Act), as amended.
Part 1 of the First Schedule to the Act sets out that the child’s surname shall be that of either, or both, parents. Where the surname chosen by the parent(s) is not their own, an application must first be made to the superintendent registrar who must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant registration of the surname chosen by the parents. Once the birth has been so registered, no provision is made for the surname to be changed at a later date.
A birth may be re-registered to include the father’s details or following the marriage of the natural parents. Only in the course of re-registering a birth can a different surname be chosen for the child, subject to the requirements set out in Part 1 of the First Schedule. In this particular case, re-registration of the birth does not appear to apply as the father’s details were recorded and the parents were married to one another at the time the birth was registered.
However, in certain circumstances the details recorded on a birth certificate can be corrected where it is shown that the birth certificate contains an error of fact. In such circumstances an application to correct an error of fact may be submitted, together with supporting documentary evidence, to the superintendent registrar in whose registration area the birth was registered.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
