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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Adding Stepfather's Name

    My question involves name change laws in the State of: California
    My daughter recently got married and has a 4 year old child. She started dating her now husband when the child was 10 months old. Her biological father has since moved out of state and communicates with the child maybe once every other week. Is there a way to add my daughter's new name to the child's without having to change the actual birth certificate? We know the father will never allow this. Could a DBA (Doing business as) or an (also known as) be filed for the child? I know there are many children who use the family name of the stepfather all through school and throughout life. How is that done?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    Is there a way to add my daughter's new name to the child's without having to change the actual birth certificate?
    No.

    Could a DBA (Doing business as) or an (also known as) be filed for the child?
    Only if the child is going into business for herself.

    I know there are many children who use the family name of the stepfather all through school and throughout life. How is that done?
    Through step-parent adoption.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    Schools used to be more flexible about using an informally adopted surname, such as where the parents marry and simply start calling the child by the stepfather's surname, but now they usually insist that the child be registered under the name on his or her birth certificate. Also, the custody court is apt to order the use of the child's legal name unless the custodial parent successfully proves that a name change is in the child's best interest.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    What about adding an also known as to the child? Is that a possibility?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    2,773

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    Quote Quoting Cjeana63
    View Post
    What about adding an also known as to the child? Is that a possibility?
    No. ( AKA (also known as) is almost always used for CRIMINALS. Are you really that desperate to deny your child's father the right to say no that you would actually be willing for your child to be recognized as a possible criminal by society??

    There is no way of legally changing a child's name without the other parent's permission.

    Actually, there is, but since the father does have contact with the child it would be a waste of time and money to go to court.

    Bottom line- you'll have to get Dad's agreement.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    Just changing the child's name to the stepfather's is commonly known as a "back alley adoption".

    You see, if the child has the name of the stepfather, the stepfather has an assumed right to make decisions on behalf of that child (medical care, school, etc).

    That is not correct.

    Have the stepfather adopt or leave things as they are. The step father is a legal stranger to the child up to the moment the adoption is finalized. Changing names to try to circumvent the process is not a good idea... especially when you will have to explain to a judge later why the father's rights are being suppressed.

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

    Default Re: Adding Stepfather's Name

    Are you really that desperate to deny your child's father the right to say no that you would actually be willing for your child to be recognized as a possible criminal by society??
    It's her granddaughter's name she wants changed.

    We don't even know if the child's Mama is on board with this idea.

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