I want to change my daughter's last name.?

Question

I want to change my daughter's last name to mine however she is 8 and wants to keep her dad's last name, he is not an active parent but to respect her wishes I have considered adding my last name after her dad's. Any suggestions on this and how I can go about getting this done.

Answer 1

Don't make such a big deal about her last name because it will change when she marries. You can't change the fact that he is her dad and changing the name or adding to it, will not change that fact. Let her keep the Dad's name and don't worry yourself about changing it. She has already started school with that name and it's on the birth certificate,etc just leave it alone.

Answer 2

Why do u want to change it in the first place?Cos he isn't an 'active' parent?U've said that ur daughter doesn't want it.What does he feel about it?Did u even discuss it with him?Maybe on some subconscious level u r only trying to make a statement or prove a point with this.Ur daughter is very young;isn't it best to let her decide a little later in her life?I think u should consider the reasons y u urself want this 'change' & then do what u feel is best.G'luck & sorry if I offended u

Answer 3

I did this for my Son, who carried my maiden name until I was married when he was 4. You have to see a lawyer, he will post an announcement in the local newspaper, and her Father will have a certain amount of time to respond. If he doesn't respond, you are ready to change the name, it is done before a judge, and in the late 70's it cost $300.00. It could be a lot more now, but check around. Call Attorneys in your area that deal in Family Law. The process takes about a month, so be patient. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Leave her name as it is....whether he is an active part of her life or not, he is part of who she is. At her age, it will only confuse the issue, and open her up to a lot of questions (from others....at school) that she doesn't need to answer. If she wishes to change it later in life, then she can change it. When she gets married she will have a new last name anyway.

Answer 5

if her dad signed the consent to being the father, its a done deal. the law can't change her last name just because you don't want to. your too selfish and self centered. let her keep her dad name and she can decide when she reaches the legal age. why did you have a child? you should have kept your legs close. some mothers will do anything for their own and use kids as weapons.

Answer 6

Maybe you could add your last name as a middle name or second middle name. That's what I did. My daughter's middle name is my last name. You should respect her wishes... at 8 years old, she is developing her own identity. I understand what you want, but it may not be in your daughter's best interest... aways remember she is first!

Answer 7

Just respect your daughter's wishes what's in a last name anyways. She loves her dad and that is her way of him being a part of her. I dont think you want to take that away from her. That is what makes her happy dont you want to see her happy. Just leave it as is. She will love you more for it.

Answer 8

As long as she's old enough to voice her opinion, go by what she says. Maybe she would rather you put your name before her dad's, so she can keep the same last name but have yours too? It may happen that as she gets older, her feelings about it may change, and maybe she will want to change it on her own later on.

Answer 9

I did this and all I had to do was go to social security and tell them the name change. It's legal to use any name you want as long as you're not changing it for fraud. I suggest calling their office and asking them if they are still doing this. If she wants to keep her dad's last name why don't you use her first name, your last name, and her dad's name. That's they way I did it.

Answer 10

If she does not want the name change, then don't do it. It could only make her mad at you, and then life could get messy. As long as she is happy with it, I would leave it alone. A name is just a name, and you know that she is still YOUR daughter, and in time she might change her mind.