Legal Question in Family Law in South Carolina

Rescind or Repeal Adoption

Can an adoption be rescinded or repealed? I am 56 years old. When I was 14 and my stepfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer, my mother was advised to have my stepfather adopt me so she could get social security and veteran's benefits for me upon his death. This adoption took place and now my stepfather's name is on my birth certificate. I would like to have his name removed for 2 reasons: I do not want to have his surname or be associated from a geneological standpoint and also he was extremely abusive and this would be very healing for me to have his name removed from my birth certificate. Can this be done and if so, how?


Asked on 8/08/05, 2:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Rescind or Repeal Adoption

Probably the simplest solution is to change your name. (Way less expensive than trying to undo an adoption after this many years). You can do the name change anywhere, but the adoption can only be undone in the jurisdiction in which it was granted.

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Answered on 8/15/05, 3:06 am


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