Change of a child’s surname before the age of 14 — legal grounds and procedure
In accordance with Article 148 of the Family Code of Ukraine, the change of a child’s surname under the age of 14 is carried out upon a joint application of the parents or by a decision of the guardianship and custody authority / court in the absence of consent from one of them. If the child has reached the age of 7, their written consent is also required for the surname change. The service of changing a child’s surname may be implemented in an administrative procedure through the Civil Status Registration Authority (DRACS) or in judicial proceedings if there is a dispute between the parents.
Documents required for changing a child’s surname before the age of 14
To complete the procedure, it is necessary to prepare a properly executed set of documents, in particular:
- an application from both parents or one of them;
- the child’s birth certificate;
- parents’ passports;
- a certificate of the taxpayer’s registration number;
- the child’s consent (if the child is over 7 years old);
- in case of judicial proceedings — evidence of the absence of consent from one of the parents or circumstances justifying the appropriateness of changing the surname in the best interests of the child.
The specialists of the “Consultant” Legal Marketplace conduct a legal review of documents, prepare applications, assist in their submission to the relevant authorities, and monitor the proper execution of the procedure.
Change of a child’s surname without the consent of one parent — judicial procedure
If one of the parents does not consent to the change of the child’s surname, the matter is resolved in court.
The court examines the circumstances of the case, determines the reasons for refusal, and assesses whether the surname change corresponds to the best interests of the child. The lawyers of “Consultant” provide full legal support in such cases, including:
- Analysis of the legal situation;
- Preparation and submission of the claim;
- Collection and presentation of evidence;
- Representation of the applicant’s interests in court;
- Monitoring the enforcement of the court’s decision and making changes to the state registers.
Stages of service delivery
- Initial consultation and legal analysis of the situation.
- Preparation and drafting of the necessary documents.
- Submission of the application or claim to the relevant authority.
- Legal support until the issuance of the updated birth certificate.
Why choose “Consultant”

Legal accuracy: we work strictly within the framework of current legislation.

Comprehensive approach: we provide support from consultation to registration of changes in official records.

Transparency: all stages, timelines, and costs are clearly defined in the agreement.

Result-oriented: we act in the best interests of the child and protect the client’s rights in a lawful manner.
ConclusionThe “Consultant” Legal Marketplace provides professional legal support in cases concerning the change of a child’s surname before the age of 14, both in administrative and judicial procedures. We guarantee compliance with the law, accuracy of documentation, and protection of your rights at every stage of the process.