How Can Someone Change My Name Without My Knowledge When I Was an Adult
My question involves name change laws in the State of: ILLINOIS
I recently went to the office of vital records to get a new copy of my birth certifcate. When I arrived I
was told that they could not find my name in the system. I gave my original birth certificate to them and they were able to find me and print a copy. I was then told that my last name was changed in 1997 a month before my 19th birthday by my father, who was never on my original birth certificate. I was then told that I had to have a parent come back to pick it up because I had no proof that I was the person now listed on my birth cerficate. My mother came down the next day to pick it up and the new birth certificate now has my father's name listed on it. My father claims to have no knowledge of ever changing my name or adding his name to my birth certificate. I have received little to no help from city hall, I was given name change forms and sent on my way.
1. Where do I go from here?
2. How can someone change my name without my knowledge if I was an adult at the time?
3. If my father did change my name when I was 18 yoa, How did they let him do it without ever being listed as my parent on my ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
4. Can I file some type of complaint with the state for letting someone alter my birth certificate without my knowledge?
Re: How Can Someone Change My Name Without My Knowledge and I Was an Adult
1. Your parents. You need to be told the truth.
2. I have absolutely no idea.
3. That doesn't sound right at all.
4. Oh come on now. This isn't the state's fault. Some of the adults involved in this are at fault - but trust me, the state won't do this without at least SOME evidence.
The state isn't lying to you.
Re: How Can Someone Change My Name Without My Knowledge and I Was an Adult
Thank you for your response,
I think i worded #4 wrong I didn't mean file a complaint ON the state but WITH the state on the person that did this without me knowing anything about it. (my father)
Re: How Can Someone Change My Name Without My Knowledge When I Was an Adult
If dad's name is on your birth certificate, it got there by virtue of an acknowledgment of paternity or a court order. Your name was presumably changed as part of that process. Illinois permits paternity actions to be brought up to "2 years after the child reaches the age of majority", although you should have received notice. At least one, and perhaps both, of your parents know what happened.