Can I change my 4 month old daughters last name?

Question

My friend told me the first year you can change a child's last name for free. I would like to know how to go about doing that. My daughter has two possible fathers. The one that i was living with came to the hospital when she was born. He knew she might not be his but he said she would be his anyway he practically threatened me to give her his last name. I wanted to give her my last name till we found out who the father was. He signed the papers to be put on the birth certificate but they didn't put his name on cause i am still legally married. He refuses to get a dna test and the other guy doesn't care. But i think we should know in case she is the other guys in case of any medical problems arise. I live in pennsylvania. I was wondering if since he is not on the birth certificate I can change her last name without his signature? How do I go about doing this? I want to give her my maiden last name and hopefully this will make him get a dna test.

Answer 1

Even if you were married you're allowed to give your child ANY last name that you want in the US it doesnt have to yours or the babies fatehr

Answer 2

you can do it but its a little tricky...you can contact the office of vital records (contact your local family court house and ask for the information) to see about having it done for free since she is under 1 year old or you can file paperwork to have her name changed at your local family court house but there will be a fee. plus, if there is no known father you will have to petition it in your local paper to make sure nobody wants to fight it in court. but if he does, then he will have to do a dna test. he cant simply keep you from changing it just by his name (any mom can give their baby ANY name they want) so its a good thing he didnt get to sign the birth certificate otherwise he would have rights.  

Answer 3

I was legally married when I had my youngest too. I couldn't give him his fathers last name since I wasn't divorced for 300 days before he was born. I HAD to give him my then husbands last name regardless if he was the father. While my ex husband isn't on the birth certificate my son still has his last name until next month when the 300 days from our divorce is done. Then I have to go thru all this c**p with getting dna done even though I know who the father is. I'm not really sure how to start it all but I'm gonna try the health dept. so that might be a good place for you to get info too. I'm just mad some of these people say a mother can give their child ANY last name when you can't.

Answer 4

I found this information for you.

click this link it may help you.

http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health...