Removing or Changing Name on Birth Certificate

[gfowler]

My question involves paternity law for the State of: Maryland/ Virginia

I had to request a copy of my birth certificate for travel purposes. It arrived today and I was surprised to find that my step-father's name was listed as my father. It seems he 'adopted' me when I was a child. This man also sexually abused me for 14 years and was sentenced to jail for six years due to this as well. Naturally, I want NOTHING to do with him and especially do not wish him to be considered my father. I don't know my biological father, other than his name, but I do not want my step-father known as my father on paper or in any other way. I had no say in him 'becoming' my father and now that I'm an adult, I'd rather have 'unknown' listed on the certificate than him. I was born in Maryland and the 'adoption'/court hearing/his incarceration all took place in Virginia. Any insight would help greatly. I've had no contact with this person in over 20 years and, although it is 'just' a piece of paper, I would prefer to have all ties severed with this person.

[Dogmatique]

My question involves paternity law for the State of: Maryland/ Virginia

I had to request a copy of my birth certificate for travel purposes. It arrived today and I was surprised to find that my step-father's name was listed as my father. It seems he 'adopted' me when I was a child. This man also sexually abused me for 14 years and was sentenced to jail for six years due to this as well. Naturally, I want NOTHING to do with him and especially do not wish him to be considered my father. I don't know my biological father, other than his name, but I do not want my step-father known as my father on paper or in any other way. I had no say in him 'becoming' my father and now that I'm an adult, I'd rather have 'unknown' listed on the certificate than him. I was born in Maryland and the 'adoption'/court hearing/his incarceration all took place in Virginia. Any insight would help greatly. I've had no contact with this person in over 20 years and, although it is 'just' a piece of paper, I would prefer to have all ties severed with this person.

Please speak with a local attorney - as a general rule, the only way you would be able to do this would be via an adult adoption, and that may not even be possible in your state.

Other than that, the time in which paternity may be disestablished has long since passed, and as the child you wouldn't have had standing anyway.

Sorry it's not better news.

[gfowler]

I have placed some calls, but think I'm stuck with this monster's name on my birth certificate. I hate that, as a child, I had no say in things and now, as an adult, I have to be linked to this person who is not my father considering all he has done.

If this is what it is, that he's legally listed as my father and that's that, then what does it mean legally? Is he entitled to anything, does he have access to me or my information in any way? What happens when he dies or if something happens to me - is he going to be notified at all because he's on my legal birth certificate? When I fill out things and they want my maiden name or my birth name, am I supposed to use/list his last name?

[Dogmatique]

I have placed some calls, but think I'm stuck with this monster's name on my birth certificate. I hate that, as a child, I had no say in things and now, as an adult, I have to be linked to this person who is not my father considering all he has done.

If this is what it is, that he's legally listed as my father and that's that, then what does it mean legally? Is he entitled to anything, does he have access to me or my information in any way? What happens when he dies or if something happens to me - is he going to be notified at all because he's on my legal birth certificate? When I fill out things and they want my maiden name or my birth name, am I supposed to use/list his last name?

You should use your legal birth/maiden name, yes. There is no law saying he must be notified in the event of your death, but as a general rule the authorities usually try to find your next of kin (that may or may not be him).

You're also free to change your name to whatever you want, without his permission.

You're free to completely and utterly ignore him forever, too, by the way. He cannot force contact.