How To Change My Child's Last Name

If you want to change your modest child'southward last name, you tin enquire the court to do so. It is of import to complete this procedure legally. Otherwise, your girl could take problems later when she needs to get her driver's license or get a job. In some states, family unit courts handle name changes. In others, applicants must petition ceremonious courts. Regardless of which court hears these requests in your land, you need a valid reason to asking the change.

Mother with her arm around her daughter sitting on a couch looking at a laptop together

To legally change your child'south final proper name, follow these steps.

i. File a petition with the court.

Each state'due south court has its own forms and fees for name alter petitions. Obtain the correct course for your state, consummate all required fields, and file the petition with your canton clerk of court. Pay the required fee or asking a fee waiver if you cannot pay it.

You must too provide boosted documentation to support your petition. This generally includes proof of your identification and of your daughter's identification. Your state may besides require information well-nigh your criminal history and that of your daughter, if applicative.

If your daughter is over a certain age, the court may require her to consent to the proper noun alter past completing and signing a separate consent course.

2. Notify your child's other parent.

Unless your daughter's other parent agrees to the name modify and signs the petition, y'all must notify them of the request and of the courtroom hearing.

Provide documentation to the court that you lot served notice of the upcoming hearing on your daughter's other parent. In some states, the parent requesting the name alter must post a notice of the petition and hearing in a legal paper and give the court proof of publication.

If your child's other parent objects to your proper noun alter request, you will both have the opportunity to tell the courtroom why you want or exercise not want your daughter'southward name inverse.

three. Nourish the court hearing.

Depending on your land and the circumstances of your name change request, the court may allow you to attend an open docket courtroom hearing, which is not scheduled in advance. If, however, your kid's other parent objects to the name modify request, the clerk of court will schedule a hearing and give you the date and fourth dimension in advance.

At the hearing, the judge asks questions nearly your name change request. If the matter is not opposed and the request is in skillful order, a name change request hearing is a fairly straightforward matter. When there is conflict or disagreement between the child's parents, each parent provides testimony.

The estimate rules on the proper name modify petition based on the information provided to the court in advance and at the hearing. If the judge grants the name change request by issuing an order, provide the court order to the Social Security Administration likewise every bit your kid'south schoolhouse, bank, doctor, insurance company, and any other person or organization using your daughter'southward one-time final proper noun.

Your state'south name alter procedures may vary from the steps described higher up. For assistance irresolute your child's final name and ensuring yous follow all your state's procedures, you may want to hire an attorney licensed in your land. Alternatively, you may choose to work with an online service provider.

This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of author, not LegalZoom, and have non been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.