My daughter is 2 now and after 2 years of lies and trying to work out our differences I have finally decided it is in her best interest and welfare for us to leave her father. She was born in Florida and we relocated to Philadelphia, PA. I found out he was lying about something major when hew as supposedly working he was simply not doing. I came to visit with my family in nyc and decided to remain here with our daughter after discovering his lies. I want my daughter and myself to share the same last name. Either to hyphenate her name by adding my last name to her father's. It will avoid uncomfortable questions once she is of age to go to school. Can I do this? How do I go about doing this? Her birth records originate in FL and we are currently in NY. He gives me no support for her since we left and he has not asked to come see her.

Not without his permission. Sorry - but as far as we know, he is her legal father.

Fisrt off get a lawyer and go to court for visitation and support. At that time you can ask about a name change. You can't change it without the fathers permission. If he's not on the birth certificate then your going to have to jump through hoops to show that you had searched for him. Since you seem to know where he is then now is the time to act and get the ball rolling.