What's the difference between change of  name on a minor and an stepparent adoption?????
540281
A name change is unilateral and changes nothing but the name of the child.  An adoption changes the rights and responsibilities of both the adoptive parent and child.  The adopted child, for instance, has the same right to inherit from the adopted father as do the biological children.  The adopted father will have all the legal responsibilities and rights as would a biological father.  For instance, if you two divorce, the adopted father would have as much right to custody as would you.  In contrast, if your child merely takes the man's name and then you divorce, he has no parental rights at all in that child.
188787
I would say Yes, they may change the fathers name on birth certificate though.  Pretty noble men there, both of them. \nSeems like more men would run away, as fast can be.  The child is lucky to have two men that want to be a father to them.
433911
well for starters if she is a minor, which it sounds like you are a couple of 10 year old little girls, then she will have to have her parents permission to change her middle name.\n\nif she is over 18 then just have her file papers with the county court house.\n\nIn reality, there is no sense in changing or getting rid of a middle name, what is the point to that??  Just tell her to stop using it on legal documents or at the bank etc.  In a lot of cases you can get the social security administration and then the DMV to drop it from their records with out a court order.  Again she needs to be 18
1031420
I am an adoptive parent and a step-parent. Here is all I know about step-parent adoption.\nState laws on stepparent adoptions vary. Most States have a streamlined process for adoptions by stepparents whereby the judge hearing the adoption petition has the ability to dispense with the requirement in State laws for an adoption home study. Some States, however, will not approve a stepparent adoption unless the custodial parent has been married to the stepparent for 1 year or longer.\n\nWhen a stepparent wishes to adopt a stepchild, the child's parents (the stepparent's spouse and the noncustodial or absent parent) are usually both required to consent to that adoption. In consenting to an adoption, the noncustodial parent relinquishes all parental rights and responsibilities, including child support. If the noncustodial parent objects to the proposed adoption and refuses to consent to it, State laws may prevent the adoption from proceeding.\n\nSome State adoption laws specify special circumstances under which the noncustodial parent's consent is not required. Other States have made special provisions in their adoption laws to allow stepparent adoptions to occur, even over the objections of the noncustodial parent, in cases where the noncustodial parent has failed to maintain communication with the child for a specified period of time.\n\n\nHere's a link to more info about stepparent adoption\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_step.cfm\n\nHere is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm\n\nBest wishes and God bless
1002421
First call your county clerks office and ask about your states laws on legitimation rights. When my 17 yr old son was born, I was a single mom. His dad and I had split when I found out I was pregnant and he moved away. So I gave my baby my last name instead of his. When my son was 4 mos old he came back home and upon finding out he was a father wanted to reconcile our relationship. When our baby was 8 mos old we were married. We went to our County clerks office and obtained a legitamation form. It's a simple form that both parents fill out (you do not have to be married), sign it (both parent's) before a notary public, and send it in to have your child's last name changed to the father's. There is a small fee, in 1990 it was $20. When the process is completed all records of your child being born with your last name are sealed, and a new Birth Cert is issued to you. It is a good thing to do because unfortunately my husband was killed 6 mos later in a car accident, having this process completed helped me to recieve his Soc Sec benefits. Without this I would have had no way of proving his paternity without paying $10,000(+ or -) in legal fees to have my husband exhumed and dna tests ran. I'll see if I can find out any more info for your states paternity laws and get back with ya. Let me know how it turns out. GOOD LUCK!!
819783
You are correct, a dad is more than a sperm donor.  We adopted a little girl when she was 6 months old and she knew right from the beginning that she was adopted.  I saw first hand how adopted and step children hate to be suprised by this knowledge later in life so i did not want this to happen to me.  If she is not very old then you need to be honest with her .  Honesty is the only way if you want to set a good example for her.
690235
By being adopted, your step dad is legally your father. Every child get the citizenship of their parents unless your parents explicitly ask for something else (here, rules on where you were born apply - if this is so, which I doubt, you may of course seek to change it). You are, by UK and international law, therefore entitled to British citizenship. However you need to apply, and the adoption papers are here the focal evidence for your rightful citizenship.\n\nOn the other hand, have you ever lived in the UK? Some, if not most, countries have rules saying that people who have never lived in their country until the age of 18 or 20 or 22, must apply specifically to retain their citizenship. If you, your Ghanian (?) mother and your British (step) father resides in Ghana, you may face some problems. If so, you may wish to consult an immigration solicitor or charity in the UK ...
790428
It varies from state to state but most states any more look at it like this.  The parent in question is giving up their rights to visitation and make decisions in their child's life not their responsibility to care for the child.  If however, the child is adopted by another person then those responsibilities transfer to the new parent.
466991
State laws on stepparent adoptions vary. Most States have a streamlined process for adoptions by stepparents whereby the judge hearing the adoption petition has the ability to dispense with the requirement in State laws for an adoption home study. Some States, however, will not approve a stepparent adoption unless the custodial parent has been married to the stepparent for 1 year or longer.\n\nWhen a stepparent wishes to adopt a stepchild, the child's parents (the stepparent's spouse and the noncustodial or absent parent) are usually both required to consent to that adoption. In consenting to an adoption, the noncustodial parent relinquishes all parental rights and responsibilities, including child support. If the noncustodial parent objects to the proposed adoption and refuses to consent to it, State laws may prevent the adoption from proceeding.\n\nSome State adoption laws specify special circumstances under which the noncustodial parent's consent is not required. Other States have made special provisions in their adoption laws to allow stepparent adoptions to occur, even over the objections of the noncustodial parent, in cases where the noncustodial parent has failed to maintain communication with the child for a specified period of time.\n\n\nHere's a link to more info about stepparent adoption\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_step.cfm\n\nHere is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm
434733
The only way she'll be able to do that is through the adoption agency.  Every time you move keep them updated, so when that day does come they'll have your correct info to give her.
585347
Contact your county courthouse...prices vairy from state to state.  As far as having to adopt him for him to get your last name...no, he's already your baby, you don't need to adopt him...what name did your girlfriend have put on the birth certificate? If she put your last name on the birth certificate, then you don't need to change a thing...if not, then you need to go through the courts to get his last name changed to your last name provided both you and your girlfriend agree to it.  Good Luck.
499660
Here is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm
1073883
United States\nState laws regulate name changes in the United States.\n\nUsually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason. There are differences in specific requirements among U.S. states, but usually a court order is needed to change names (which would be applied for in a state court). It is necessary to plead that the name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose (such as evading a lien or debt, or for defaming someone.)\n\nThe applicant may be required to give a somewhat reasonable explanation for wanting to change his/her name. A fee is generally payable, and the applicant may be required to post legal notices in newspapers to announce the name change. Generally the judge has judicial discretion to grant or deny a change of name, especially if the name change is for "frivolous" or "immoral" purposes, such as changing one's name to "God," "Penis," or "Copyright."\n\nIn 2004, a Missouri man did succeed in changing his name to "They." [1] The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a name change to "1069" could be denied, but that "Ten Sixty-Nine" was acceptable (Application of Dengler, 1979), and the North Dakota Supreme Court denied the same request several years before (Petition of Dengler, 1976). [2][3]\n\nIn nearly all states one cannot choose the name of a notable person with the intent to mislead, a name that is intentionally confusing, a racial slur, fighting words (threats and obscenities,) or a name that incites violence.\n\nUnder the federal immigration and nationality law, when aliens apply for naturalization, they have the option of asking for their names to be changed upon the grant of citizenship with no additional fees. This allows them the opportunity to adopt a more Americanized name. In the 2005 version of Form N-400--Application for Naturalization--Part 1 (D) asks whether the person applying for naturalization would like to legally change his or her name. During the naturalization interview, a petition for name change is prepared to be forwarded to a federal court. The applicant certifies that he or she is not seeking a change of name for any unlawful purpose such as the avoidance of debt or evasion of law enforcement. Such a name change becomes final once a federal court naturalizes an applicant.\n\nIn some states, individuals are often allowed to return to the use of any prior surname (e.g., maiden name upon divorce.) Some states, such as New York, also allow married couples to adopt any new surname upon marriage, which may be a hyphenated form of the bride's and groom's names, a combination of parts of their family names, or any new family name they can agree upon adopting as the married name.\n\nIn order to maintain one's identity, it is desirable to obtain a formal order so there is continuity of personal records.\n\nThe "open and notorious" use of a name is often sufficient to allow one to use an assumed name. In some jurisdictions, individuals may register the use of a trade name that is distinct from their legal name and is registered with the county clerk, secretary of state, or other similar government authority. Individuals who wish to publish materials and do not have the publication associated with them, may publish under a pseudonym; such a right is protected under the First Amendment.\n\nHope that helped a little
593402
State laws on stepparent adoptions vary. Most States have a streamlined process for adoptions by stepparents whereby the judge hearing the adoption petition has the ability to dispense with the requirement in State laws for an adoption home study. Some States, however, will not approve a stepparent adoption unless the custodial parent has been married to the stepparent for 1 year or longer.\n\nWhen a stepparent wishes to adopt a stepchild, the child's parents (the stepparent's spouse and the noncustodial or absent parent) are usually both required to consent to that adoption. In consenting to an adoption, the noncustodial parent relinquishes all parental rights and responsibilities, including child support. If the noncustodial parent objects to the proposed adoption and refuses to consent to it, State laws may prevent the adoption from proceeding.\n\nSome State adoption laws specify special circumstances under which the noncustodial parent's consent is not required. Other States have made special provisions in their adoption laws to allow stepparent adoptions to occur, even over the objections of the noncustodial parent, in cases where the noncustodial parent has failed to maintain communication with the child for a specified period of time.\n\n\nHere's a link to more info about stepparent adoption\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_step.cfm\n\nHere is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm\n\nbest wishes and God bless
306384
Hi, I read your question and the answer is "yes".  We changed our daughters name at age 3 and she is 9yrs old now. We went thru a lawyer but you can also go thru vital statistics and get it changed for free depending on the age of the baby. Once you get it changed you can have the lawyer or whomever to get a copy of the new birth certificate with the new name on it. I do believe we went to the courthouse about 3 daus later and got a original for our records. Then you just have to take it to the dr. offices and daycare so on and so forth..Hope this helps...NClady
402616
You need to get a lawyer, they will take all of your information, you will sign papers go before a judge and they will give you the paperwork that states the name change if it is approved. It will cost about $200 more or less.
879755
Get ahold of a lawyer who does adoptions. He will write up a petition for adoption and run it in the local newspaper in the town where you last knew that your ex lived (if you don't know where he is at now...then just have them run it in your local newspaper). It has to run for 4 weeks (regardless as to whether it is a daily or weekly paper) and if he doesn't respond to it to contest it, then the lawyer will get a date set on the courts docket and you will go to court and the judge will grant the adoption by default. New birth certificates will be made up and they will replace the original ones, although they will staple it over the original at the state capital Vital Statistics. You will receive the new Birth certificates with you and new hubby's names as birth parents and the kids will have his last name as if they were born that way.\nCongratulations and Good Luck!!!!