I stay in Miami, Florida and my question is how do I go about to change my sons last name to this father's last name. When he was younger I did change his last name to His fathers last name then hyphenated my last name. I called vital statistics and asked if I could just drop my last name from the birth cetificate and change the name that way but was told that the only way is through a judge. I was wondering if that was true, and if it is could you tell me the process or lead me in the right direction to start the process.

Yes to change a name you have to go though a judge, it is very simple and not very costly.

In many states a paralegal can do the paperwork and you file it, or an attorney should do it fairly inexpensive.

You need to contact the court clerk to file the necessary forms. It's a fairly routine procedure.