I would like to change my son's last name to mine, he is six years old, in the last five years he may have seen his father 2 or 3 times and that has not been in the last 3 and half and I have received $60 in the last 6 years for two children, (the younger has my last name) my question is in the state of ga what are the laws and requirements to accomplish this, what is the procedure, what is the law about abandonment. I have no address or phone number to ask the father, last I heard he had moved out of state.

Georgia Name Change for a Minor

During a proposed name change for a minor, the petition must be brought by both of the minor's parents, or by one parent with the Notarized consent of the other. All adults who retain legal rights over the child must be given proper notice of the proposed action. Courts typically conduct hearings to determine whether the change of name is in the best interest of the minor and hear any objections which may be raised by interested parties. If you anticipate objections, consult a licensed attorney in your area.

If you wish to know about termination of parental rights in order to have the sole right to change the name here is the statute: for abandonment the reasoning would be "extreme parental disinterest"
Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights Georgia -

Similar Question - Need help! PLEASE!

My son has not seen his “natural father” since he was around 18 months old, he is now about to turn 7 years old. I've been with my husband since he was about 24 months old, if not longer. We are currently attempting to do a Name Change.

Questions:
:: What will stand in court as proof that we've exhausted all avenues to locating the “natural father”?
:: Can we file for abandonment? If so, how?
::

Key facts in our case:
:: Knows my husband as his Dad
:: Live in California
:: Have a standing RO (Restraining Order)
:: Unable to locate him through his last known address and mother (sends letters back as “return to sender, doesn't live here”)
:: Hired a PI who was unable to locate him

I have full legal and physical custody of my 2 year old daughter. I live in North Carolina and my ex husband and daughter's father is in the Army and stationed in New York. He has only seen my daughter 2 times in the last 18 months. He has now just started paying child support. He paid nothing for the last 20 months. He has just been instructed by court in April to pay day care but is already one and a half months behind. What is needed to do to change the last name of my daughter who has her father's last name on the birth certificate?