Adding Father's Name and Changing Last Name of Child

**AimB** · 07-02-2012, 06:41 PM

My question involves name change laws in the State of: California

Here's the run-down:

Child was born in 2006.
Father present at Birth, but was not put on Birth Certificate. Left as "unknown" for Father.
Father involved and living with both mother & child since conception.
Father and Mother married in 2011.

Question: What forms need to be filled out to not only add the Father to the Birth Certificate, but also change the child's last name to that of the father? Currently the child holds the mother's last name.

Is the VS-22 form all that is needed? The VS-22 form states I need to fill it out, included a notorization, and a copy of the marriage license.

The VS-22 form needs a notorization form filled out. Is the notorization form the same form that is included with the Application for Birth Certificate copies? Do I include the application for the Birth Certificate copies? The VS-22 states you pay $20 that includes a copy of the birth certificate. If I fill out the application for the Birth Certificate copies then I will be paying another $18 for yet another copy of the birth certificate. This is confusing. Do I only fill out the notorization form, and not include the application for certificate? Or is there another type of notorization form that you include with the VS-22?

Also, since the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth, but are married now, does a Declaration of Paternity form need to be filled out?

Thank you for any help you can give!

**Mr. Knowitall** · 07-04-2012, 08:03 AM

Are both parents on board with establishing paternity?

Do both parents agree to the name change?

**AimB** · 07-08-2012, 11:44 PM

Yes, considering both parents have lived together since (and before) the child's birth, and just married last year......they are both desiring both changes.