miszee
Nov 10, 2008, 07:45 AM
My son's original birth certificate and record has him listed with my maiden name as I was unmarried at the time of his birth. I lost his birth certificate and requested a copy from PA dept of vital statistics. When I received it, my son's last name was changed to be his biological fathers last name. I went to vital statistics and was told there was an affidavit of paternity showing to make that change. I received a copy of the affidavit and in error my county's domestic relations filled in that portion of the form incorrectly.
My son is now 16 and has used my maiden name his entire life. He has never for any reason used his fathers last name (who is not in the picture and owes me over 40 thousand in child support that I go round and round about getting... which will NEVER happen obviously). Anyway - I was told I need to hire an attorney to get his name changed (corrected in my eyes... ) and a court order is the only way to change it.
My question is - can I do this myself (get a petition for name change) and approach the courts for this approval without an attorney? It is really clean cut and I don't feel an attorney would benefit me in any way. I am trying to cut the costs here obviously.
Any info or help on where to start, get the forms, if an atty is required, etc would be helpful. My son can not get his drivers permit until I have this name correct on his birth certificate. All other legal docuemnts show a different last name (ss#, school records, etc.)
Thanks.
My son is now 16 and has used my maiden name his entire life. He has never for any reason used his fathers last name (who is not in the picture and owes me over 40 thousand in child support that I go round and round about getting... which will NEVER happen obviously). Anyway - I was told I need to hire an attorney to get his name changed (corrected in my eyes... ) and a court order is the only way to change it.
My question is - can I do this myself (get a petition for name change) and approach the courts for this approval without an attorney? It is really clean cut and I don't feel an attorney would benefit me in any way. I am trying to cut the costs here obviously.
Any info or help on where to start, get the forms, if an atty is required, etc would be helpful. My son can not get his drivers permit until I have this name correct on his birth certificate. All other legal docuemnts show a different last name (ss#, school records, etc.)
Thanks.