What's the procedure for changing my last name since I am a minor?
I'm 16 years old, and I wish to change my final name. My mother and I have had my father's ending name, but they're divorced, he's never paid child support, and neither of us have see him in 13 years. My mother is changing back to her maiden pet name, and said that I may change my last name to doesn`t matter what I wish it to be. I know what last name I want to own, but what procedure do we have to follow to change my last mark? I've read somewhere that if you have not had contact with the father for more than 2 years, that you do not call for his consent, but if my mother has sole custody and they're divorced, then do we even need to contact him? For the sake of our safekeeping, we really don't want him to know where we live. So what do we have to do to change my closing name, besides filing the papers? Correction: I've heard that within the state of CALIFORNIA, if you have not had contact with your father for more than 2 years, that you do not call for his consent
Best Answer:
In the state of California if the father has not had contact with the child for one year you can folder abandonment papers and the courts can terminate hhis rights and you would not need consent. I know this because I hold looked into it for my daughter who has not had contact in years near her "donor", however, I do believe they notify him that you are filing.
Your name can't be changed without your father's consent. The reality that you haven't been in contact doesn't change that. If you truly own a serious concern for your safety, you can ask the court to allow it anyway. You would have to petition the family court since you don't enjoy your father's consent.
