Legal Question in Family Law in California

adopting step-fathers last name

I am an adult who wishes to adopt my step-fathers last name, along with my own to create one of those ever popular hyphenated names, such as "Smith-Jones". I do not want to relinquish any rights of my birth father. Do you know what legal steps I must take to do so? Social Security and the DMV say that they need 'documentation' of my name change, but they are not specific as to what documentation and where I need to get it. Any info that you may have would be much appreciated. Thanks!


Asked on 12/13/99, 6:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Gray Barber & Gray, LLP

Re: adopting step-fathers last name

You need to file a Petition for Change of Name in your local Superior Court. It is a simple procedure. You lose no "rights" of your birth father. (You probably have no rights to lose.)

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Answered on 12/14/99, 5:08 pm


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