I don't know if this is the right topic but maybe someone here can help. My boyfriend recently found out his father is not his real father. He has used his 'fathers' surname since he and his mother got married when my partner was three. However his 'father' never formally adopted him and his name has never been changed by deed poll so the name on his birth certificate is still his mothers maiden name. However he does have a medical card and a passport in his 'fathers' surname. Does anyone know how this is possible and is it even legal?

The medical card is not problem, but the passort is surprising. You have to produce a birth certificate to get a passport.

Legally you can use any name you want as long as there is no intent to defraud. So his parents could just have used his stepfather's name on all documents. But I would get his passport changed.

That's what we thought, about the passport I mean. It definitely doesn't seem right and we're worried about problems that may arise when we get married in September and I try to take his name and when we have children. What has to go on there certificates?

I just noticed, you are in the UK, there may be some differences in laws there. I would consult with whatever agency issues passports.

I'm curious as to what he wants to do. Does he want to continue using his stepfather's name or what?

He's very confused about the situation at the moment as he always used to say to me that he didn't feel like he was part of his dads family and didn't feel like he fitted in so now he knows he's not actually blood related he feels even more confused. On the other hand he's had this name for 24 years and feels its who he is. However to confuse matters more he feels as though if we were to have children he would be passing on someone else's family name and it's a family he doesn't feel part of.