My question involves name change laws in the State of: Mississippi
I want to change my 4yr old daughter's last name to my last name. Her father's name & signature is on the birth certificate. We were never married. She was born in Georgia and we now live in Mississippi. He has not provided any financial support for her. I have had to receive support from the state to help with her care because he has not. He did live with me for a short time (her birth till I left him when she was 18 months) During this time he abused me mentally and physically. Unfortunately I did not go to the police to report the abuse. I just packed my daughter & I up and left him. I have gone through great measures to stay hidden from him ever since and want to keep it that way. I want to know if there is anyway that I can legally change her name without him being found which consequently means us being found. I do not know exactly where he is to notify him of the name change. Since there is a history of abuse and possible future endangerment to the child's well being is there anyway the name change can be done without him being notified?

