questions & answers

Question: i am about to have a child in october. the father of the baby wants to take me to court to get the last name changed to his. he's been in and out of helping one month he will help the next he won't. we've never been married. will a judge approve of the last name change?

Answer:

There is a process that must be followed in order to change a child’s name once it is on the birth certificate.  The Arizona Office of Vital Records handles changes and corrections to vital records (including birth certificates). Their website contains information about the process and fees required to change the records. Read their information regarding “Changing the name of the child when the child is already named on the birth certificate."  The law states that the state registrar can change the father’s name if there is a court order or if paternity is voluntarily established.

http://www.azdhs.gov/vital-records/corrections-amendments/birth/changing.htm