Posted: 2/27/2006 6:35:43 PM EDT
| Can anyone give me any advice on how I would go about getting my son's last name changed in NY? I've looked stuff up online but it's a little confusing. I appriciate any advice or insight! |
Does HE want to have his name changed? The courts are gonna wanna know that. |
HE is 3 and from what I've read the courts would like the opinion of the child if the child could give one but it does not bear any major wieght in the outcome. I just have to give them good reason for the change. But i'm not asking to debate all of that i was asking about how to start and go about the process. |
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http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/civil/nc60.shtml http://www.nycourts.gov/forms/namechange.shtml Dont know if this will help but you will also have to put an ad in the paper saying John Doe is now known as Jim Doe or John Smith. I would like to change my name from Robert to Maxwell but with my job it makes it a pain. |
All they are going to do is file some paperwork on your behalf and to put the ad in the newspaper. I would guest it wouldn't cost that much. Ask Aimless I think a lawyer. Balzac is one but he's <cough> banned <banned> from here. |
| With the forms at this link and a little help at the County Clerk's office, you should be able to do it yourself. |
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www.namechangelaw.com/states/ny/newyork.htm Here's a link you can read up on. I think you can do it yourself on the paperwork. |
Fair warning, you'll be paying money for the forms on the above web site when those forms are probably identical to the ones you get for free from NYS at the link in my post above. |
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If you are just changing the kids name for aesthetic reasons you will HAVE to go the Full Legal route. In some cases however there is Another option Both Biological Parents may have the Birth Certificate AMENDED , if for some reason an "Incorrect" Surname was chosen.  If Paternity has not been established, the Birth Mother, (as only parent) can also Amend it to record HER legal Surname as the childs. Also , It would not be wise for someone to attempt to Establish Paternity by sidestepping the Courts and playing with name changes. Please don't take offense at this information , as I am just a nice Guy giving INTERNET Advice. 
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Good point Phil. Google is your friend. Either that or swing by the count clerk's office for more info. |
Well, if 20 bucks is more than you can imagine, then yeh, I guess... Of course, it will depend on the fee structure of the newspaper you use. I just paid a bill for a name change publication today (I work for an attorney). Do yourself a favor, for something this significant, call some attorneys and at least get some ballpark figures to have them do this for you. It's more involved than you think. It's not rocket science, but there are lots of opportunities to screw something up in the process. It will cost a few hundred dollars, but you're paying for the lawyer's expertise. You know it will be done right. There are, of course different rules for an infant name change as opposed to an adult (regarding consent). Good luck! |
Where's the attorney you work for? or do you have any suggestions for one? I hate just picking things like this out of thin air. thanks for ur input! |
| I would suggest you call the NYS Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-3661. Tell them where you are and what you need an attorney for, and they'll reccomend one in the area who can handle the job for you. On the other hand, don't hesitate to call a few right out of the phone book. Feel them out, compare fees. |