My babies dad left 7 months ago and wants nothing to do with our daughter. Am I able to change her surname without his permission?

Where?

What do u mean by where?

Where at, are you in the US, Canada, Spain, India, this is an international site and the laws and rule vary greatly.

In the US, even what state.

But in general, in the US, no you will have to have the bio fathers permission or a court order to do a name change.

Have you filed for custody in the courts ? Have you filed for child support yet ?

I'm in the uk he doesn't pay a penny and never has didn't think I would have to file for custody as he wants nothing to do with her

im in the uk he doesnt pay a penny and never has didnt think i would have to file for custody as he wants nothing to do with her

Now he doesn't, but he could change his mind at any time. Have you filed for support? If he hasn't been ordered to pay support then he doesn't owe any.

He is still the child's legal father and as such has parental rights and needs to be consulted on any legal issues with the child.

His working cash in hand so csa have told me that he doesn't have to pay a penny as they believe he isn't earning.Would consult him but he refuses to speak to me I have informed him that I wish to change her name and he doesn't care but if I had to get his permission this would be difficult as he won't discuss anything with me.

You need to consult a local attorney. If you can document your attempts to contact him or make sure he is legally served with a summons that he doesn't respond to, the court may grant your petition for a change.