Can I change my son's last name to mine?

Question

I live in Tx I got a divorce last year I would like to change my son's last name to my last name to not have so much confusion. His dad sees him but doesn't pay any child support and I don't think he will be ok with the name change is there anyway around that?

Answer 1

It would take a court order.

In this day and time, this is common.  Speaking as a genealogist, remember, the last name he has now is who he is and if you change it, then his children and their children will have this new last name.  Is this fair to him as an adult and later generations?  So, if you get remarried one day then you will change his name again so as not to cause confusion?

A friend of mine did that to her boy and he has lost his identity because his mother wanted to have a son with her last name.

Let him decide later.

Answer 2

you can change it for school, social purposes etc.but it won't be legal. when things are settled with your x you can do it legally if you want. were it me, i'd wait till he's 13 or so and give him the option - he has to live with it. i used my stepfathers name until i went into jr. high school then i switched to my real name because i liked it better. my stepfathers name was "LEMMON"

Answer 3

i'm pretty sure you can't do that without the fathers consent.