Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia
Name change
I had my last name changed to my original birth name, my sons(2-17&14) live with ex-wife in Illinois. I have two letters with notary dated 10 march 1994 authorizing me to change their last names in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Are these documents still good? and how much does it usually cost? If these documents are not good, what do i have to do to Change their last names? Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Name change
In Virginia, name changes for minors and adults are accomplished by filing the appropriate papers in the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the person(s) reside. Such changes are not
(legally)effected through notarized letters. Therefore, whatever you have is most likely invalid to effect these name changes as well as obsolete, given the fact that they're nearly 10 years old.
The name changes which you desire, now, would most likely have to be done through the courts of Ilinois which have jurisdiction over the children and would, probably, require the permission of the mother.