My daughters father has not been in contact with us for over 6 years. I want to change her name, but, the only way to do that is with his permission or to terminate his parental rights. Which I am sure will not be difficult considering his background and the fact that even the child support office could not locate him for the last 6 1/2 years. I just don't know how to go about doing this. I spoke with a court facilitator at the family law office and he said the only way he knows of is stepparent adoption. I know there has to be another way to do this.

No step father adopting is really the only way.

No there isn't really any other way to terminate his rights. If you want to change her name that is another story. You can petition the judge to allow a change of name he/she will make you make a "good faith" effort to find him which could include a number of things. You bring in the proof that you did them and the judge may allow it. However, the whole termination thing basically isn't going to happen.

I take it he isn't supporting the child? u're probably a little aggravated. You have a girl when she grows up & marries her name will b changed. Try not to do anything out of spite. Maybe she can make something out of it.. again it's only a last name

Yes, if you don't know where he is, this is going to be hard, one way is if he was in prison in some states , but you don't know this. So yes a step parent adoption will be about the only way