Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Name change for minor.

I want to change my child�s last name to be the same as my last name.

My child is 2 years old. Me, my child nor the father are US citizens. I live in the US, work in the US and the child is born in the US. The father has no contact with the child, I receive no support from the father and the father is not listed on the birth certificate. Do I have to involve the father in the change of name? If so, what do I do if I can�t find the father? Do I have to go to court and/or hire an attorney?


Asked on 2/04/02, 4:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Name change for minor.

Under the circumstances that you describe, apparently, having never married the father of your child, you do not have to involve him or receive his permission to change the name of the child.

You can go to the clerk's office of the circuit court in the county or city where you live, explain what you want to do, and they can provide you with the necessary forms and explanation as to

how to fill them out.

The completed paperwork is then filed with the court, and you follow their instructions as to what to do after that.

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Answered on 2/04/02, 5:13 pm


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