How Do You Legally Change A Childs Last Name?
The ability to change your name at will is an iconic part of American freedom based in the equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Minor children, however, don’t have the ability to change their names on their own until they become adults. Traditionally, the father has the right for his children to bear his name so long as he maintains his obligations to the child. All name changes are ultimately up to a judge’s discretion, though, and are usually granted in family law cases where the father consents to the change or has abandoned the child. File a petition. Most name changes are handled through the local county court. A form petition is available from the clerk or from the court website. The petition is the basic instrument requesting a name change and gets the formal process started. Obtain and file an affidavit of consent. If the child’s father is willing to consent to the name change, a form affidavit, also available from the court, can be filed to reflect this consen
