[rhinocwarren]

My name was not included on my daughter's birth certificate at the time of her birth and the mother and I were never married. She was born in Shelby County Tennessee. Paternity was proven through a DNA test. My child has her mother's last name. I would like to know if I can be listed as the father on her birth certificate with or without the mother's consent. Also, I am concerned that the mother told my daughter that when she gets married next year that my daughter will have a new last name. Can the mother change my daughter's last name to her new husband's name without my consent?

[aaron]

If the mother won't cooperate with establishing your paternity, you can bring a paternity action through the courts asking to be recognized as the child's legal father. Once that is accomplished, you can request formal visitation (or even custody) and can expect to be ordered to pay child support.

The mother is supposed to notify you (as the putative father) of any action to legally change the name of the child, although until you establish yourself as the legal father there is a possibility that she would represent to the court that the father is unknown.