My question involves name change laws in the State of: Virginia. My son lives with me he is 14 and wants to change his last name to mine. I was never put on the birth certificate as his father, what do i have to do to make this happen. thanks
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Virginia. My son lives with me he is 14 and wants to change his last name to mine. I was never put on the birth certificate as his father, what do i have to do to make this happen. thanks
If you have never been placed on the child's birth certificate or never had paternity established, then you will need to do so first. If paternity is already legally established, then you need to contact the department of vital statistics for your area and ask what documentation they require to get you added to the BC.
If mom is amenable and there is NO FATHER listed on the birth certificate, all you have to do is both parents go to the local health department and swear out an affidavit of paternity. You can then mail this off to the Vital Records with the fee and they'll amend the birth certificate (with the new last name).
If all of the above is not true: i.e., mom isn't cooperating, there is some other person listed on the birth certificate, etc... You'll need to apply to the JDR court for this (it would behoove you to have established paternity).