n about other means by which such an end may be achieved (if desirable and consistent with the child’s welfare). Where the child’s birth father does not have parental responsibility, although his consent to the change of surname is not strictly required by law, it is considered good practice to seek his consent so that the matter can be brought to court if there is a disagreement. See the case of Dawson v Wearmouth [1999] 2WLR 960, [1999] 1 FLR 1167. 8.61. Proposed adopters may also need information about the alternatives to adoption by which the birth parent’s partner may obtain parental responsibility (whether or not coupled with a change of surname). 8.62. Where the couple are married or civil partners, the birth parent’s partner may acquire parental responsibility under section 4A of the 1989 Act, by agreement or court order. If the child’s non-resident birth parent does not have parental responsibility, then a simple formal agreement between the birth parent and their spouse or civil partner will suffice. Where the non-resident birth parent does have parental responsibility, then their agreement will also be needed. In such a case, both birth parents and the step-parent will all share parental responsibility. The form of agreement is set out in the Parental Responsibility Agreements Regulations 1991 (as amended by SI 2005/2808), and the agreement once signed must be filed in the Principal Registry of the Family Division. 8.63. If the non-resident birth parent does not agree, an application may be made to a court for a parental responsibility order. The parental responsibility granted to the step-parent, whether by agreement or by court order, can only be brought to an 145 end by a court order. It is also open for the birth parent and their partner to apply for a jo