Stepfather Adoption vs. Name Change to My New Married Name

My question involves name change laws in the State of: FL
my 11yr old daughter from a previous relationship has my maiden name, the bio father is not on the birth certificate and the last time I had contact with him was when I was 5 months pregnat. He's never met my daughter nor has attempted to, even though he paid child support until my daughter was 3 yrs old.
My now husband who I have been in a relationship with for 9 yrs ( we married 3 months ago) wants to give her his last name, we have a 3 month old baby and want her to have the same last name. Because she will start a new school this yr, my questions are: what would be the quickest route, a step father adoption or a name change to my new married name? Do I still need permission from the the bio father with either option, even though he is not on the birth certificate and I don't know where he is? Thank you in advance for your answer

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Quoting qbnpuma2

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My question involves name change laws in the State of: FL
my 11yr old daughter from a previous relationship has my maiden name, the bio father is not on the birth certificate and the last time I had contact with him was when I was 5 months pregnat. He's never met my daughter nor has attempted to, even though he paid child support until my daughter was 3 yrs old.
My now husband who I have been in a relationship with for 9 yrs ( we married 3 months ago) wants to give her his last name, we have a 3 month old baby and want her to have the same last name. Because she will start a new school this yr, my questions are: what would be the quickest route, a step father adoption or a name change to my new married name? Do I still need permission from the the bio father with either option, even though he is not on the birth certificate and I don't know where he is? Thank you in advance for your answer

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Since he is legally adjudicated as the father you will need to notify him of either a name change or an adoption. (You would have had to even if he wasn't legally adjudicated, but it is a slightly easier process now)

A name change will not confer any legal rights to your husband regarding your daughter...So for the best interest of your child I would say an adoption is better ...Hire an attorney to handle this...Adoption is not a do it yourself process.