I am a divorced female and would like to know how I would go about adding my maiden name to my children's name (my married name). Also- do I need my ex's permission- we have joint custody.

Thank you- dela

Even with sole custody I believe you do need your ex's approval. You will probably fair better in court if like you suggested, you ADD your last name and not try to remove their current one and change it.

In every state that I know of you have to have the father sign off on the name change especially because he has joint legal custody which means he has equal say in how the child is raised (this includes changes of names).