questions & answers

Question: So, I have a almost 2 year old. I had my rights severed sadly, and I wasn't able to get her birth certificate done at the time. My parents are thankfully adopting her, but I was wondering if I can still have my name as her birth mother, and her biological dad on her birth certificate, that way when she gets older she is able to know that we are her parents. Also, my mother who is adopting my daughter said that, because my parents are adopting her, that her last name will not be under my daughters biological fathers last name, that it will be under my parents last name. Is that correct?

Answer: Once your parents adopt the child, she will be legally their child.  Normally, a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive parents last name.  The adoptive parents have the right to decide the last name of their child.  I am assuming from your question that the biologic father has also had his rights terminated or that he voluntarily relinquished his rights.