Name Change

What is the name of your state? North Dakota

My son is 14 years old, born in 1990. He has not seen his biological father since 1993, and this man has never paid child support. We were divorced in 1993 and he basically "disappeared" after that (not wanting to pay support and having no interest in being a dad). My husband and I were married in 1995 and my son has used his last name ever since (not legally but on school records, etc). My son now wants to apply for a driver's permit and license in the near future and wishes to legally change his last name to that of my husband (his stepfather, whom he considers his dad). Do we need bio dad's permission to do this, after 11 years of no contact? I have no idea where he even is, the last address I have is from 1993. Do I need to see a lawyer about this? Thanks for your help.

Every state has different laws, but if there truly is no known address for the biological father, you can petition the court for a name change. You probably will have to run a newspaper ad in the area of his last known whereabouts for a certain period of time. If a judge still denies the name change, do not be too upset. At 18 years of age, your child may legally change his name to anything he wants, (barring a legal record, etc.--that he is trying to hide from). I did a legal name change in my early 20's--consulted a lawyer, got 2 letters from persons who had known me for more than 5 years, saying to their knowledge I was not attempting to change my name to aviod legal problems, etc., then the lawyer (I did not have to attend court) just sent me the paperwork that a judge had approved it. Cost me $200.