CHANGING ONE'S NAME.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 33, 9 June 1915, Page 4

CHANGING ONE'S NAME.

Referring to 'the case of Dr. Sandston, the Christchureh Press re narks that there is a good deal of misconception regarding the law on the subject of surnames. A leading authority lays it down that although custom has decreed that a man shall be known by the name of father, in England and the United States the custom is not legally binding. Prior to the passing of the Aliens Restriction Act last

year there was no law preventing a man from taking whatever name he had a fancy for, nor are there any particular formalities required to he observed on adopting a fresh surname. It is true tht law vol's usually advise the execution of a lormal legal document and advertising it, but this re.illy ha s not legal effect. It probably satislies the client, and, at any rate, relieves him of any imputation of having changed his name surreptitiously,

possibly for some improper purpose, but he cannot compel other people to uddress him or designate l»i»i by the

new name, fn England if, for exam

pie, undoj' the provisions of a will, a person adopts a new name and wishes I to have it publicly notified in official ! circles, the mode of procedure usual-

ly adopted is to present a petition I to the College of Heralds for a Royal License. If granted the license is isj sued under the sign manual and privy ' seal of the Sovereign, countersigned by the Home Secretary. If the application is voluntary the stamp duty payable is £B1; if it is imposed by the terms of a will or settlement the duty j is £SO. A dved poll is executed and I enrolled in the Supreme Court for purpose of evidence. But all this is merely an expensive way of attaining an I object which in England, at any rate, can be effectually attained without anv expenditure and any formality at

all'. In France and Germany, on the other hand, official authorisation must be obtained for any change of name.