
Quoting
SonwantsmynameinMD
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Maryland. I have been recently married and my step son would like to take my last name. His birth father's name is on the birth certificate but the child's legal last name is that of his mother's. His last name on his birth certificate matches his mother's maiden name. The child's birth father has not been involved in his life for 9 years (matter of fact... his last contact was a 5 minute phone call 5 months ago). The father is back due on child support and it is a miracle if a check does arrive in the mail (it is court ordered and does get garnished out of his wages when he is working). We have not discussed legal adoption because we feel this is an easy way out for the birth father. He actually wanted me to adopt him when my new wife and I were just dating for a few months. We feel that he should still be responsible for child support. My step son is the only one is the house with a different last name. I have a daughter in the house also. Since his last name is that of my wife's maiden name, do we have to petition the birth father?