Legal Question in Family Law in Louisiana
how to change my grandaughters last name to her fathers
We are trying to find out how to get my grandaughter's last name changed to her fathers last name. Her father and mother are getting married next month and they are trying to get her name changed before she starts school.Her father and mother were not together when she was born and his name is not on her birth cert as the father it was left blank. Any inf you can send will be appreciated. They just didnt know where ot begin. Cathy
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: how to change my grandaughters last name to her fathers
Changing the name is very simple, but her father will not be her REAL "legal" father until his name is put on the birth certificate. So, I would suggest an Intrafamily Adoption. That is, the husband of your granddaughter's mother adopts your granddaughter. That way, when a judgment is rendered, he will be declared her dad and her new birth certificate will show the new last name and your daughter as the mother and her dad as the dad. It is more simple than this answer.
Re: how to change my grandaughters last name to her fathers
No need to do an adoption, as the marriage of the natural parents automatically legitimates the child. We use the simple affidavit available at the health units or Vital Statistics in New Orleans, which when executed by the father & mother before a notary public and two witness, once filed with Vital Statistics will change the child's last name to the father's which will be put on the new birth certificate along with the father's name as the father.