Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    6

    Default Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    My question involves name change laws in the State of: TN


    My 14 yr. old son wants to change his first and middle name. He has my last name b/c father did not sign birth cert. Can this be done without involving the bio father? The father has never been around. Do i need an attorney?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    Not a chance in the world. Both parents must either join in the petition, or at least be served and in that case there has to be compelling reason that the name change would be in the best interest of the child. Just because the father isn't around isn't a compelling interest usually.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    If you mean that paternity has never been established - dad's not on the birth certificate and there's no custody or support order - you can try petitioning the court without notifying dad, but you should not be surprised if the court requires you to serve notice before proceeding on your petition.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    I meant that paternity has never been established. Thanks for the info.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    If the father is officially unknown (not listed on the birth certificate and no established paternity subsequently) you might get away with involving him.
    Whose last name is on the birth certificate now?

    I will tell you Tennessee appears to be one of the more difficult states to do a minor name change.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    The father is not listed. He refused to sign the birth certificate. My son has my last name. He wants to change his first name only. It figures that it would be difficult in TN. Thanks for replying.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice to the Father

    If kiddo can be patient and wait until he's 18, he can change it without any input from Dad (or you, for that matter). At 14, he might want to wait anyway, what with teenagers being so fluid in their wants.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Changing Child's Name to the Biological Father's
    By kalimartin in forum Paternity Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-04-2010, 01:03 AM
  2. Changing a Child's Name: Changing The Child's Name and Correcting The Father's
    By seekinginfo in forum Name Change
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-14-2007, 08:19 AM
  3. Changing a Child's Name: Changing Child's Name From Disinterested Father's
    By umphalump in forum Name Change
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-16-2006, 03:42 PM
  4. Adoption of Children: Changing a Child's Name Without Notice To The Father
    By shuri in forum Adoption Law and Surrogacy
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-15-2006, 11:54 AM
  5. Changing a child's last name to the correct father's
    By TRICIE_03 in forum Paternity Law
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-25-2006, 07:43 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources