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Signing a Daycare Contract
Family Law - November 2023
You might want to change your child’s last name for a number of reasons. For example, you or your spouse may have kids from a previous marriage, and you’d like them to have the new spouse’s last name. Or maybe your child’s biological parents did not raise them, and you want to change the last name to your own. Whatever the reason, this article will walk you through the process of changing your child’s last name, though please note that you may have to amend it to conform with your own state’s rules.
Go to the website of your state’s superior court. Typically, you’ll need to download and fill out these forms:
Make at least 4 copies of all of your forms.
Most states require that you publish your request, and your county court will have a list of the approved local newspapers.
Go to the superior court in the county where your child lives. If there are different locations, go to the closest court where civil cases are filed. Once there:
You need to serve a set of documents to your child’s other parent. Do this via a professional server, who:
If you are the parent asking for the name change, you need to show up at the hearing. It is possible the judge will order the change of name without a hearing, if:
Call the clerk’s office before the hearing date to make sure you have to attend. If you do:
If the parental rights of one parent have been legally terminated, the other parent may change the child’s surname without permission. If the mother has sole physical custody, and paternal rights have not been established, the mother may change the child’s last name without permission. Otherwise, a judge can grant the name change without permission. If you’re wondering can I change my child’s last name on my own?—the answer is no, unless you meet the above criteria.
You get a decree from your state’s Superior Court, though the specific steps to take may vary from state to state. If you want information about changing your name back after divorce, what is needed to change your name, can you change your last name legally without getting married, or do you have to change your name after marriage?—see a lawyer who is well-versed in family law.
You will have to file a petition to terminate his parental rights, and in most cases, a citation to obtain a hearing date. See an experienced family lawyer before doing so.
Yes, if you have a signed decree from your state’s Superior Court that allows the change. If you are wondering can I change my kid’s last name on other ID documents, again, the answer is yes once you’ve obtained that signed decree.
No. This can happen when a child turns 18. If you want to know can you change a child’s last name?—the answer is yes, until they reach 18 years of age.
18 years of age.
Additional resources:
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Family Law - November 2023
Family Law - November 2023
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