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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
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    1

    Default 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 ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    19,901

    Default 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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    16,474

    Default Re: Child Name Change

    Quote Quoting flyingron
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    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.

  4. #4
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    Sep 2010
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    Default Re: Child Name Change

    Quote Quoting llworking
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    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    1

    Default 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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

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

    Quote Quoting daleporazo
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    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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