changing a childs name and adding father on birth cert.?

Question

does a paternity test need to be done in illinois if the biological father wants to add his name to the birth cert? Also to legally change our sons name to our last name? right now the birth cert says unknown father and he has my maiden name. how would we go about doing it and how much will it cost? don't know if this matters but our son is 11 years old.

Answer 1

Go to a lawyer, they can do this for you, the sooner the better. The cost is minimal. You do not need a paternity test unless there was a question of parental lineage or someone would be contesting an adoption.

Answer 2

You need a very specific answer here (sorry if I am stating the obvious for you) as every state might be different and yes, in the UK (where I am) the age of the child in question DOES matter.

I had my daughter's birth certificate amended to include my MARRIED name (her father was named from the outset) so that she would have a married set of parents and not a non-married set, is all.

This had to be done within a very short time of her birth (it was something like six months or so- might have since changed) despite it being such an inconsequential detail such as Mother's Surname.

Now- I would suggest that a paternity test is not required because you are not contesting it but then again- perhaps they'd like it, if added now, to be completely accurate. Not suggesting that it is not but perhaps they would question the reasons for not adding the father's name earlier.

I also know that things become more complex here in the UK the day the child turns 16. For example a man can no longer adopt the child of his wife, if that child has turned 16.

You see the difficulty in giving you a definitive answer?

I think your best bet is to ask at the local citizens' advice bureaux- surely you have something like that where you are? Where you can get advice on family matters?

From your son's perspective it might be quite nice so if you can swing it I would.

:-)

Good luck.

Answer 3

The following was true in Kansas when this same situation was mine own, about 13 years ago. When I was 10 years old, my father's name was added to the birth certificate. The only fee was for "processing" the request with city hall records. No paternity test was required. The "father" section of my birth cert up to that point had always been blank. Regarding a name change, I think mine cost around $350.

Answer 4

The best thing to do is contact a lawyer and ask them, or you can call Legal Aid in your area and see what your options are. I am pretty sure that you guys are going to need to do a paternity test just to make sure.

Answer 5

u can change a childs LAST name at anytime, that i do know. its the 1st name i'm unsure of. but if u and the father got married u'd hav 2 change the BC anyway.

and no, a pertinity test does not need to be done to hav his name on the BC. only if u both hav a doubt and WANT a test does it eva hav 2 b done. by putting his name on the BC he's accepting the child is his

Answer 6

hmmm.. Consult an attorney listed in the phone book as having "free consultation" - I'm sure he'll be more accurate than any one of us... Your son is too important for inaccurate info..

Best of luck!