Legal Question in Family Law in California

Legal name change for my son

My wife and I met when my step son was 2 months old (1990). He is now 14. We legally married in 2000 and we would like him to carry our last name. His birth farther signed relinquishment papers in 1990 and has had no contact with my son since. He has never provided any financial support and my wife has never pursued any. They were never married. I have been his dad his whole life. How do we change his name legally? Do we need to go through adoption or is there another way since his birth father signed over his rights? Can we also change his birth certificate? He is about to start high school and he has wanted this for a long time. I also wants him to know that he is my son and always has been and this will solidify it. Thank you


Asked on 5/16/04, 9:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
PATRICK MCCRARY PATRICK MCCRARY

Re: Legal name change for my son

It sounds like the best approach for the boy is an adoption, which should be no problem. You can change his name, however, why when he can be adopted by you? Good Luck, Pat McCrary

Read more
Answered on 5/17/04, 11:50 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in California