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komocop · Feb 3, 2013, 12:46 PM

I had a child and only found out about her when she was 8 months old. I had a DNA test that proved I was her father. I am now paying child support and with financial help from my parents had a lawyer involved to have visitation. My daughters mother is the product of a mother who has 3 children by 3 different men, her father doesn't recognize her, and she always tells me how unimportant biological fathers are. I was more interested in establishing regular visits with my daughter , since here mother is resistant at every step. But I now want to pursue reregistering the birth certificate with my name listed as father and for her to carry my family name. Will this be difficult? Money is the problem and I can't ask my parents again.

ScottGem · Feb 3, 2013, 01:18 PM

This should have been done as part of the court action that established paternity. You could try contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistics for your state (or wherever) and see if showing a copy of the court order can get the birth certificate amended to indicate you as the father.

Getting the name changed is a different story. Since the mother has the right to name the child, you would have to go to court for a name change. And, unless the mother agrees it is unlikely to happen.

komocop · Feb 3, 2013, 01:31 PM

I should have mentioned I was from Canada, and I thought that about the birth certificate. Thanks for that answer. Regarding the family name, she has threatened to give my daughter her new husbands name , can she do that?

ScottGem · Feb 3, 2013, 01:36 PM

No she can't. Just as you can't get the child's name changed without her agreement, she can't change it without yours. However, this makes it even more important that you get your name on the birth certificate as the father.

komocop · Feb 3, 2013, 01:43 PM

Thanks