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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    2

    Default Tough Name Change

    My question involves name change laws in the State of: Georgia.

    I'm a newbie here and this is my first post. Here my situation.

    I want to change my 17 year old step-daughters name.

    Here's the back story. Her mother and I have been married for 16 years and it has been both good and bad, but that is a different story for a different forum.

    Right now we are in a good place and I want to change her name. She hates it and is ready for the change to happen.

    My wife is also good with the change.

    I met and married my wife in Panama. My step-daughter is 100% Panamanian. Her father has provided $25.00 of support for her during her entire life. No visits, no nothing.

    My wife has a signed document from him renouncing all parental rights.

    On the other hand I am her dad. I have raised her, loved her and provided for her for her whole life.

    My greatest heartbreak is that I haven't addressed this issue before now.

    I know that we would need to notify her biological father, but we do not know his whereabouts. He is in Panama somewhere. How should we procede? Can the service of the petition by publication be posted in Panama or could we do it here?

    What about citizenship? She is not yet a US citizen.

    What about the documents being in spanish?

    As you can see this is very complicated. Any help that I can get would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    My daughter graduates next year and I know she doesn't want to have her present name on her diploma.

    Thanks

    CM23

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Tough Name Change

    You will have to provide notice, or get permission from the court for substituted service. You will need to get certified translations of any Spanish documents that you wish to use in association with the name change. There's no guarantee that Panama will accept a U.S. order of name change - that's something you need to discuss with a lawyer in Panama.

    When your daughter turns 18 she'll be able to change her own name without having to serve notice on her father. It may be a lot easier to simply wait.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Tough Name Change

    Thanks Mr. Knowitall. I think that would probably be the best route to go. I'm seeing a lawyer on another issue and will also ask her for the best route to go. Just the translation stuff alone is a nightmare. She'll be 18 in March so it's not that far off. I guess we could do all of the legwork on it beforehand and be ready to go.

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