Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

1. If a paternity case is open, the paternity court can do it.

2. An attorney can file a name change petition for you; ask one in your community what that would cost.

There is no form you can just fill out to do this without court approval.

Here are some inexpensive or less expensive alternatives for you.

If their father and you completed a paternity affidavit, you should be able to have the birth certificate changed at little cost.

If not, you might see if the IV D Prosecutor for your county will file a paternity petition - that is free or $75 depending on the circumstances. The names can be changed in that proceeding. Otherwise, you can have a separate case for a name change only- you petition for a court order changing their names An attorney can assist you in preparing the papers at a limited cost and you would then present the papers without the attorney to court and participate in a short hearing.

If approved, you can then complete the forms that the State requires for a name change. You can also have an attorney do the entire name change, but the cost would be significantly higher.