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How to Change Children's Names if the Legal Father is Deceased

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  • 06-30-2016, 07:54 AM
    tamlyn67
    How to Change Children's Names if the Legal Father is Deceased
    My question involves paternity law for the State of: PA. The father of my children are not on their birth certificates, he is also deceased. I am married now and would like to change the birth certificates and social security cards to my husbands name. Can I do that directly through the vital stats and amend/correct the birth certificate or do I have to go through the courts ?
  • 06-30-2016, 08:30 AM
    flyingron
    Re: Child Name Change
    No you can not just willy nilly change your children's names on the birth certificates either by contacting vital records or going to the courts. If you want to change their birth certificates, your husband will have to ADOPT them. If you just want to change their last name on other official documents going forward, you can submit a minor name change, though you have to show it's somehow in the best interest of the child to go that way: https://www.nwls.org/Name_ChangeMinors.htm
  • 06-30-2016, 09:21 AM
    llworking
    Re: Child Name Change
    Quote:

    Quoting flyingron
    View Post
    No you can not just willy nilly change your children's names on the birth certificates either by contacting vital records or going to the courts. If you want to change their birth certificates, your husband will have to ADOPT them. If you just want to change their last name on other official documents going forward, you can submit a minor name change, though you have to show it's somehow in the best interest of the child to go that way: https://www.nwls.org/Name_ChangeMinors.htm

    I will also add that children of certain ages (its 14 and older in many states) must also agree to the adoption.
  • 06-30-2016, 03:02 PM
    flyingron
    Re: Child Name Change
    Quote:

    Quoting llworking
    View Post
    I will also add that children of certain ages (its 14 and older in many states) must also agree to the adoption.

    Good point, it is actually 12 in Pennsylvania.
  • 07-08-2016, 06:26 AM
    daleporazo
    Re: How to Change Children's Names if the Legal Father is Deceased
    I want to change my last name to my father's last name but his died already..
    Im 19 already, can i still do something ? I really want to use my fathers last name.. Pls help me
  • 07-08-2016, 07:36 AM
    flyingron
    Re: How to Change Children's Names if the Legal Father is Deceased
    Quote:

    Quoting daleporazo
    View Post
    I want to change my last name to my father's last name but his died already..
    Im 19 already, can i still do something ? I really want to use my fathers last name.. Pls help me

    At 19, you are free to petition a court in whatever state you reside in to change your name. Google "name change" and whatever your state name is and you'll almost certainly find links to show you how.
    As long as you're not under current criminal investigation or trying to avoid debts, it's pretty straight forward.
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