When you adopt a child do they keep their own surname or do they take yours or is it either?

Question

When you adopt a child do they keep their own surname or do they take yours or is it either?

Answer 1

IF U ADOPT AND TAKE FULL CUSTODY THE CHILD CAN CHOOSE IF THEY WANT TO TAKE YOUR NAME OR NOT

Answer 2

The adopt child will take ur surname

Answer 3

It can totally go either way.  You can decide, or you and the child being adopted can decide (age appropriately, of course).

Answer 4

Depends on the age of the child.  Older children often keep their original name, particularly if it is an adoption by a relative. Children under schoolage typically have a completely new first name as well as your surname.

Answer 5

you have the legal authority to change the adopted childs name. You also have the legal authority to keep it the same.

Answer 6

My friend got her adopted dad's surname.

Answer 7

It depends. They can take your surname which in my religion is wrong as they are not your child as you didn't make them and give birth to them and the father's last name is the child's identity.  But they can also keep their own name in the USA. It's just tradition that the child takes the adoptive people's last name in the USA. It's not a law.

Answer 8

They take yours, However,Later they can change by deed poll if they wish.

Answer 9

They usually take your name

http://www.adoption.org.uk/information/a...

Answer 10

I believe this is the family's choice and dependent on the type of adoption that is occurring.  It is my experience that during finalization, the adoptive parents are asked what name they are giving the child and you can choose any part of their name (including surname) to be changed.  You will then receive a new birth certificate for the child including the adoptive parents as the actual parents.

However, I do know of some situations, such as step-parent adoptions or foster care adoptions, where the child was older and chose to keep his or her original surname.  This is perfectly acceptable also.

Hope that helps.

Answer 11

~They are totally your children in every aspect including their name

Answer 12

they can take your surname or keep the one they have or they can have both. i have just adopted my daughter she now has my name. the best thing to do is ask the child what they want

Answer 13

They usually take your surname.