Hi Lorenabe,
I’ve tried replying twice but I think my posts aren’t taking because of the links I was adding! So I’ll try once again without them..
As a mother you automatically have ‘parental responsibility’ for your child(ren). This can only be overturned if a court case is brought up and (usually Magistrates) weigh the evidence and decide that your children’s best interests are best kept if they live elsewhere. That’s clearly not going to happen, by your account.
So in that case, you *are* entitled to change your daughter’s name. Even your own name, if you choose to.
What you can’t do, unless in exceptional circumstances, is change the original Birth Certificate becuase it’s tagged as an ‘historical document’.
But you *can* apply for a name change using a Deed Poll Certificate, which overrides the Birth Certificate. Together, these two documents will allow your daughter to grow up, get her driving licence, passport, bank account etc. etc. in her new name.
Try searching ‘child law advice’ for starters, then search for UK Deed Poll application. That should give you enough info to take the next step.
Best,
-Cypher-