My 21 year old daughter would like my new husband to adopt her. She does not want to be her current last name which is my ex-husband's last name. Can you perhaps tell me what she can do to make this happen? How can she have my new last name?

My 21 year old daughter would like my new husband to adopt her. She does not want to be her current last name which is my ex-husband's last name. Can you perhaps tell me what she can do to make this happen? How can she have my new last name?



She's of legal age and can change her name - she doesn't need to be adopted to do so. She can also be adopted but will need to notify her natural father and he will have to consent. Another adult posted this same question last Spring and I was surprised to find out that she needed either consent or a Court order. I don't know how the Court proceeding ended.

Or does she want to be adopted AND change her name?

At 21 why don't she just legally change her name?

at 21 why don't she just legally change her name?


She may want to be adopted so she is recognized as a legal child for purposes of a Will - it's posted on the legal threads now and then.

i duno if its the same by you? but here in sa (south africa) 21 is considerd adult. and adults can't be adopted, i think? what she can do and if its ok with yr husband, she can go to court and ask them to change her surname! it costs some money to do thou..



Adults can be adopted in the US - I believe that's true in all States. Happens fairly often due to Wills, "second famlies," that type of thing.

The daughter does not need the permission of the husband to use his last name. You can pick any name as long as it's not for purposes of illegal activity, fraud, harassment.

Thanks for all your input. I will let her know.

It shouldn't be hard for your new husband to adopt your 21 year old daughter. Your daughter does not need her biological fathers permission because she is now an adult. The only thing is if your daughter is married, then she will need permission to be adopted from her husband. If not, it should be really simple. I did both my adoptions online when I adopted my boys. My sisters hubby adopted her 2 children through the online company as well. It IS something that can happen. Check out the laws in your state.

It shouldn't be hard for your new husband to adopt your 21 year old daughter. Your daughter does not need her biological fathers permission because she is now an adult. The only thing is if your daughter is married, then she will need permission to be adopted from her husband. If not, it should be really simple. I did both my adoptions online when I adopted my boys. My sisters hubby adopted her 2 children through the online company as well. It IS something that can happen. Check out the laws in your state.



I keep asking you what State allows on line adoptions. Would you please answer me?

It shouldn't be hard for your new husband to adopt your 21 year old daughter. Your daughter does not need her biological fathers permission because she is now an adult. The only thing is if your daughter is married, then she will need permission to be adopted from her husband. If not, it should be really simple. I did both my adoptions online when I adopted my boys. My sisters hubby adopted her 2 children through the online company as well. It IS something that can happen. Check out the laws in your state.

And I'd like to know the overturn rate of the adoptions through this rapid online company, as well.

It seems to me that the shortcuts they take can't always be the legal ones, and that anyone with a good lawyer could get an adoption overturned because of those shortcuts.

And I'd like to know the overturn rate of the adoptions through this rapid online company, as well.

It seems to me that the shortcuts they take can't always be the legal ones, and that anyone with a good lawyer could get an adoption overturned because of those shortcuts.



The information posted is simply incorrect. If this person is attempting to sell the "fill out the paperwork" service, that's one thing, but the "on line adoption" statement is not true. There is no State that allows "on line adoption," no personal appearance.

I also wonder why someone who can't afford an Attorney to make certain that the adoption is totally in order can afford to adopt children? No one is saying you have to be wealthy to adopt children. I AM saying if you can't afford to do it legally, don't do it at all.

I would also like to see the challenges to any of these "do it yourself" legal matters. At one time the statistics for the number of "do it yourself" bankruptcies that were denied or set aside was staggering - of course, now that I'm looking for it, I can't find it.

Got to think that adoption is the same way - except with adoption a LOT of people get hurt.

He can't legally adopt her because she's over the age of 18.

However she can go before a judge and change her last name to her step-father's.

There is no online form of this.

He can't legally adopt her because she's over the age of 18.

However she can go before a judge and change her last name to her step-father's.

There is no online form of this.



That's not correct in all States. Adults can adopt other adults. Maybe not in Texas but they can in NY and it's been posted before. It's often for purposes of inheritance.

Of course, a name change is always possible if there is no need/want for adoption.

Do we know where OP is - or are you going to make me read the entire thread a second time - :).