I would like to change my sons last name, he was given his bio fathers last name 14 yrs ago but his bio father is NOT on the birth certificate nor has he ever been involved since he was born. Clerk of courts said I still have to track down his bio father and send him a summons/request for permission. Is there any other way without trying to contact the deadbeat?

No, an attempt has to be made to find him, and after you prove you did everything possible ( to court rules) if he can not be found, normally you can the try and do notification though publication, but it is harder and costs a lot more and will almost for sure require an attorney.

The child can wait 4 more years till he is 18 and change it without fathers ( or your) permission

After 14 years they may not allow a name change. Also how is he a deadbeat ? Just not seeing the child doesn't make him that.

We don't want to wait until he's 18, once he entered Jr. High they required him to go by his legal name whereas for the prev. 13 yrs he used my name on all school docs. And none of us like
It. I'll retract calling him a deadbeat and call him an irresponsible Father who has made no attempt to be any part of his child's life although it is one in the same in my eyes.

Thank you for the quick answers, guess I'll start by tracking him down then.

We don't want to wait until he's 18, once he entered Jr. High they required him to go by his legal name whereas for the prev. 13 yrs he used my name on all school docs. and none of us like
it. I'll retract calling him a deadbeat and call him an irresponsible Father who has made no attempt to be any part of his child's life although it is one in the same in my eyes.

Thank you for the quick answers, guess I'll start by tracking him down then.

Do you have report cards for the child showing you used the other name? Your going to need proof when you go to court so it looks consistent. It will help your case a lot. Good Luck.

I'm sure I can find some old reportcards or even yearbooks with my last name under his pictures. Thank you for the tip!