Can a newborn child have both last names of the parents?

Question

my girlfriend jus gave birth to our child, and we are not married, and we were having a hard time on the last name. is it possible to give the child both last names? if so they told her at the hospital (i wasnt there when they said it) that with non married couples the baby is given the mothers last name, and i was just thinking to myself that thats not really fair. is this true or did she just lie to me?

yea i wasnt there for the birth certificate signing..which really sucks

and i was not also there for the discharge, i was bringing relatives to visit us and the baby

Answer 1

You can give the baby both last names. Either hyphenated, such as John Micheal Smith-Jones, or as a middle name (John Smith Jones) or as two middle names (John Micheal Smith Jones). As a matter of fact you can name your baby ANY name that you want. Typically when the father is not part of the child's life the mother will use her last name, as I did with my son. But it is entirely up to the parents. You could name him Thomas Alva Edison if you wanted to.

Answer 2

Traditionally the child is given the last name of the father if the parents are married, or the last name of the mother if the parents are not married.

However, as to what the last name can be [legally]?
It varies from state to state. In my homestate, **whether the parents are married or not,** the child can be given:
-the last name of the mother (let's say Smith), or
-the last name of the father (Jones), or
-a hyphenated combination of the 2 names (Smith-Jones), or
-a non-hyphenated combination of the 2 names (Smones), or
-something completely different (Sunflower),
**as long as it's not a swear word or a number.**

Go to your state's law library (in your capital city) to find out; they may have a helpful website.
Also, in most states, the child does NOT have to be named within 24 or even 48 hours, although some nursery/hospital workers may say that.

(As far as "did she just lie to me?" ... can't answer that for you. Sounds like maybe there are more issues here than just the kid's last name, but you didn't ask about that...)

& congratulations on the birth of your child! Hope all works out for you all.

Answer 3

I have five last names ... my mum didn't want to offend anyone, so she just gave me everyone's last name.

Yes you can give your child whatever last name you want. It doesn't even have to be either of your last names legally, because the notion of legally having to keep track of a person's linneage via surname went out the door when Ellis Island gave everyone the same last names.

Now, depending on where you're doing it there may be local laws ... I know that in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, a child can not be given a surname with a space in it (a friend's older sister, surname Mac Coy, gave birth to her baby in Cameron ... they had to have the baby's name changed when they moved because the Parish wouldn't recognize Mac Coy as a surname ... for three months the baby was Maccoy. However, they moved back a year later and there was no problem because the kid's name already had a name in it ... the rule is just about giving a newborn such a name). So check out the laws around where you live.

Answer 4

I gave our son both last names ******-****. I would not have been legally allowed to give him any last name but mine unless he was present and signed the birth certificate at the same time that I did.

You can fix this. You go with your girl and the baby to the town hall that has the birth certificate and both have identification and you can be put on and change the babies last name to include yours. I believe it is about $45. to do this.

Or you could just do the right thing and show your girl and your baby that you are committed to her and your child and marry her.

If you are not married than the baby should have both last names.

Answer 5

Both my kids had their fathers last name before we were married. You can give the child any name you want. Just make sure you are there to sign the birth certificate. It's a pain to try to do it later.

Answer 6

For hospital records the baby is always under the mothers last name until discharged home. At the hospital you need to fill out a birth certificate and you can give the baby anyone's last name. Most states require the dad to be present when signing the birth certificate if you are not married. Heck, you can give the baby my last name if you wanted!!! LOL!

Answer 7

no i dont think so . i think the law had been changed alot over the years. but i tihnk you should ask somebody who does know about can have both last names for the child that does work with childsupport company or ask to youre doctor about maybe they can do that or not. iam not sure. i only know that if you end up with a child and the mother has the husand and the baby father last names. not the baby .

Answer 8

She lied to you.I gave my son his dads last name and I never married him.YOu have to be at the hospital before discharge and sign the birth certificate.But if the mother dont want the baby to carry your last name then it is the mothers call.The baby can have however many names as you want it to have but only the very first name,middle name and the very last name is what the baby will legally go by.So lets say your last name is Jones.The mothers last name is Smith.Lets say the baby is give the name Sally Marie Tabatha Jones Smith.Legaly the baby will have to sign important papers later in life as Sally Marie Smith or Sally Smith so the Jones name really will never be used.

Answer 9

The baby does usually take the mother's surname, but you're free to hyphenate the surnames. Usually you'll find mother's name before father's, but it's up to what sound best. My boyfriend and I are expecting our first child in August, and we're now considering using the surname Stephensyn - Lang.

Answer 10

Nice relationship - assuming she lied. She just gave birth, she's worn out, on medications, etc, and easily could have gotten misinformation or been half asleep when they told her it. Try being there for her instead of rushing to judgements.

So what if she has the mothers last name, will you be less of a father because of it.