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View Full Version : Can I change my daughters last name back to my own?


cunningham_anthony
Apr 15, 2010, 09:38 PM
There is no father on the birth certificate, can I change my daughters last name back to mine?

ScottGem
Apr 16, 2010, 04:16 AM
Please pay more attention to posting guidelines. There is a Read First sticky in the Children forum (where this was moved from) that directs questions of a legal nature to this forum.

A birth certificate is a legal document. Generally it takes a court order to change it. Without a father being listed, the court might grant your request, or it might require you identify the father. Go to your local Family Court and ask for the process to request a name change.

However, you can have your daughter use any name you want as long as there is no intent to defraud. Her legal name would remain the same, but you can use your last name except where a legal name is required. Then when she turns 18 she can legally change it without a problem. Most schools for example will understand and allow her to be known by the name you want.