What is the best way?

Question

I want to change my daughters last name to my bf's. I just asked this question but I dont think some people understood my question
I have a 6 year old daughter that my bf have been raising since she was 6 months (her father my ex did not want her after she was born and left us) I want her legal name to be his last name (we have 2 other kids) we are eventually going to get married, but not right now

. Anyway what is the way to go about getting her name changed to his ( I had to add detail since one Incompetent idiot assumed that I am jumping from one relationship to another) that is not the case.

Do I have to have a lawyer or can I do this myself.
Thanks

Answer 1

1) Goto the Department of Health and get a change of name application

2) get married

3) have your BF legally adopt her.

Answer 2

The laws on name changes vary from state to state. The forms are usually available in the courthouse, so most people do it themselves, without an attorney.
The law will specify what you have to do to change the name of a minor child. You can look this up in the law library, which is probably in the courthouse. In most states, you have to get the permission of the other parent.