"There’s no rule of thumb," says Jennifer Traficanti, director of child services of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE). You also must declare your name, address, date of birth, email address, and phone number. As I said, there is no real rule when it comes to naming a child. A judge may or may not grant a child's name change without the other parent's consent. You can certainly hire an attorney to change the minor's name for less than an adoption, but I would discourage you from doing so. If your child is under 16 years old, potentially both parents will have to consent to a change in the child’s name. Terms of Service, Thanks. It’s their right as parents to make that choice. I think you can change the childs name to anything you like without the fathers permission or terminating his rights, but just changing the name would not change your husbands relationship with the child in any way. Your husband can go to the family court and find out, as this would be in violation of the fathers rights to his child. She can also change their names if she has filed that you abondoned the children. But adoptions and name changes are two totally separate things. Read on for more information about how to petition for a child's name change when only one parent is asking for the name change. Users of Adoption.com agree to the If you can show the court that the father hasn't communicated with or supported your son for a year or more, the judge should conclude that he has abandoned your son. If you want to ask a judge to legally change your child’s name, use the Instructions & Forms. She was even reissued a new birth certificate listing myself and my husband as the parents. ", Copyright © 2020 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. * When we adopted our daughter her name was automatically legally changed to our last name. I have full custody of my 12-year old son. You don't need to file to change your child’s name if: You’re adopting a child and want to change their name as part of the adoption process — See The Court Adoption Process for more information. Step 1 File a name change … if you have gone to court and lost custody and she has full custody, then she can adopt them with her new partner. If you want to legally change a child's gender (with or without a name change too), proceed with this option. If you really don't want to go through any court proceeding, you can try an informal name change, but you're unlikely to get very far. An adoption petition generally can be modified to include a provision identifying the purpose of the adoption as well as any conditions relative to it. Use the second set of instructions if only one parent will file the request for name change. Is there anyway that he can do a name change without the adoption. Use the first set of instructions if you and the other parent agree to file the request for name change together. "It’s truly a personal decision for families. The answer depends on whether both parents agree to the name change. The non-consenting parent must be served with copies of the name change papers and given a chance to object. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You can then complete a petition and file it with the court. In a situation where the mother has sole physical custody , is not married, and where paternal rights have not been established, the mother may change the child's last name without permission. You can go to martindalehubbel.com or call your county bar association. What you can change your child’s name to. If both parents consent to the name change: If the child is over one year old but still a minor, you may file a Petition for Name Change. Changing a name does just that -- and no more. For the majority of families, changing the child’s last name is a given, but the first name requires careful consideration. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Getting the absent father's consent to the adoption -- or proving it is not necessary -- should not be a problem in your case. It'd just look like he was the dad but he'd have no actual rights to the child. I are divorced, and have had no contact for ten years for the majority of can you change a child's last name without adoption, the. For name change then go down to the Soc Security Admin and get petition. But I feel compelled to answer it or medical advice information on this website be... Husband is contimplating letting the mother of his daughter and her new husband, adopt his year... A legal document that proves a change of name compelled to answer it parent-child relationship between you and the Terms! 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