Change of name?

[trish18]

I am just pondering what the legality was on changing a name.

Around about 1910, if a child who's mother had died, was taken in by a family & brought up by them, could they change her birth name without doing so legally? If she eventually married & was known by the family name, what name would she have to declare on her marriage certificate? I believe formal adoption was not introduced until 1927, so would welcome any suggestions.

Regards

Trish

[stanmapstone]

The name on the marriage certificate is that by which the person was known at the time, there was no requirement to prove either name or age. Under English common law, a person may take a new surname, perfectly legally, without drawing up any formal record, provided that such action is not undertaken for the purpose of fraud of avoidance of obligation, etc.
Just to say that if either of the parties has adopted, or is commonly known by a surname other than their true surname, both surnames should be recorded in column 2 on the marriage certificate with the word 'otherwise' between them.
Stan

[trish18]

Hi Stan,

 I had no idea that an individual could take on a different surname without some form of legal document, but you have explained things brilliantly.

Thanks ever so much for your help.

Regards

Trish