Changing last name..

I've heard that in order to get your baby's last name changed, that both parents on the birth certificate have to sign. (She currently has her fathers last name.) He was there when she was born, and he stuck around for the first month. Well things got really ugly and I'm not going to bore you all with the long story, she's 7 1/2 months old now, and we just recently went to court for custody. He of course didn't show up and I got sole custody over her. The last we heard he is somewhere in Fl.

Since I have sole custody, and he is currently m.i.a could I get her name changed by myself, or would they still need his signature too ?

im not completly sure but i think he has to sign over all his parental rights in order to do that, or to change the name, even tho u have sole custody he still has parental rights granted not sure what they are but he has some,

I found a site that lawyers in your area answers questions such as this. I believe it is avvo.com.

Every state is different. Some states will put you on hold for so many months and if the father hasn't contacted you in that time, then you can change it. That's what my brother, and his wife did.

I've been wondering the same thing. Both my boys have a hyphenated last name, mine and their deadbeat fathers. I got sole custody last fall when he didn't show up for court. He hasn't seen them in over 2 years. I want to get their last name either shortened to my current last name or to my fiances last name when we get married but I don't know if I can do it without him signing... which I KNOW he won't.

It varies by state, but MAJORITY of the time, you still have to have the father agree to changing her last name. Also, somebody mentioned having him sign over his rights... it's not that easy. He's not able to just sign away his rights unless you have a husband wanting to adopt the child..

Quoting **Jen:" I've been wondering the same thing. Both my boys have a hyphenated last name, mine and their deadbeat ... [snip!] ... or to my fiances last name when we get married but I don't know if I can do it without him signing... which I KNOW he won't."

That's my problem too, I know he wouldn't do it if asked. That's why I was wanting to know if I could do it without him having to sign anything. Ughh !

Idk the answer but I'm asking the judge if I can change their last name since BD is a pos druggie that doesn't give two smurfs.

I had to go to court to change Lils last name. We had to petition the courts to change it because the father was absent. We then put a notice in the paper for the court date and when he didnt show up to court they granted the name change.

Quoting Khrystal Ann:" That's my problem too, I know he wouldn't do it if asked. That's why I was wanting to know if I could do it without him having to sign anything. Ughh !"

I don't even know were to go to find out either. And I'm a little afraid of being told no I can't lol pretty much expecting to have to get his permission which he won't give. If it comes to that I can just wait until they are old enough to change it legally on their own. I think that's at about 18 but I'm not sure. My oldest (age   doesn't even acknowledge the second half of his last name and hasn't since he was 5. If you ask him he tells you the first half only (my last name).

Quoting ma ♥:" It varies by state, but MAJORITY of the time, you still have to have the father agree to changing her ... [snip!] ... rights... it's not that easy. He's not able to just sign away his rights unless you have a husband wanting to adopt the child.."

I'm not even sure how to go about doing it. We don't even know where he is. Once child support started he went m.i.a. My moms mentioned getting him to sign his rights over, but I already know he wouldn't just to get back at me.

Ugh, last post should read age 8 didn't realize it was gonna turn into that smiley face thing lol

Where I come from, to change a last name, you file paperwork with the court, they have you put a public notice in the paper, everyday for 30 days, about the intent to change the name, and if no objections occur in that 30 day period, you are granted your name change.

I've seen this question posted on here before and all the mamas made it seem really difficult. I don't have any experience personally but Chelsea from teen mom had her daughters last name changed and all they did was go to a lawyer and they had to bring a witness saying it was in the best interest of the child and they changed Aubreys last name to her moms.

Quoting **Jen:" I don't even know were to go to find out either. And I'm a little afraid of being told no I can't lol ... [snip!] ... the second half of his last name and hasn't since he was 5. If you ask him he tells you the first half only (my last name)."

Yea, I just wished I would've listened to my parents when they told me not to put him on the birth certificate in the first place, lol. Plus we don't even know where her father is so I wouldn't know how to even go about getting his signature, but I already know he wouldn't do that anyway. I just hate how he can live his everyday life like she doesn't exist. She doesn't even know who he is, so I don't see why she should even have his last name. ahh;; now i'm starting to vent ! haha