Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Child's name change

I have custody of my 8 year old son. We live in Virginia. His father lives in Florida. The last contact he had with my son was when I went to Florida when he was 15 months old. My son wants to change his last name to be the same as mine. When I tried to file to change his name I was told that I have to have a lawyer file for me. Is this true and if not how do I do file by myself? Thanks


Asked on 2/19/09, 3:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Beard Attorney at Law

Re: Child's name change

This is not precisely true, though it is good advice. A form for an application for a name change, together with instructions, is on the web at:

http://www.courts.state.va.us/forms/circuit/civil.html

Look for "Application for Change of Name (Minor). The father will have to agree to the name change in writing (notarized) or you will have to serve him by personal service in Florida or by an Order of Publication, which is expensive.

There are additional forms and helpful information at the Fairfax court site:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/circuit/ccr-a-160.htm

Good luck.

bob

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Answered on 2/19/09, 4:20 pm


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