How do my husband of 11 years and I change our daughters surname from their biological fathers name to the same as ours and their brother. X has not seen the children in over 7 years, refuses to pay child support and has no contact at all with them. 6 years ago we (hubby and I)got the girls to Perth for a visitation - he never showed up or contacted them. The passport regulators approved them having a passport as X refused to let them - a vindictive act. Our girls want the name change, they are 13 and feel that their "Step Dad" is their one and only true father as X has never contributed to their welfare at all. X has 3 new children from new wife.
Please help, as this is something that the girls have asked for and I have no way of knowing where to start.

You went to Australia, but do you live there or is this a question concerning U.S. residents?

Have you considered adoption?

We are Australians - sorry I thought this was an Aussie site. We tried adoption 6 years ago but X refused. By all intents and purposes my husband is their father except for the blood. Mmm - I guess we will all have to wait until they are 18. Its

And the girls are 13 and 15 - something went wrong with my message and left its out sorry. Do you know any Australian links?