birth certificate change of minor

[hcralston]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Kansas

Can a parent change the last name of a minor child 15 years after birth without the fathers consent? Parents were married at time of birth, divorced and now mother wants to change last name to hers. Please help - don't know how to proceed. Thanks.

 

[mommyof4]

Search is your friend.

However, I will be nice and tell you that the short answer is 'no'.

 

[LdiJ]

Search is your friend.

However, I will be nice and tell you that the short answer is 'no'.

I would agree assuming that the father has been actively involved with the child.

 

[hcralston]

father has been actively involved - although mother has not honored ANY visitation since father's remarriage.

Mother is ordering him to sign paternity papers to change their last name in Kansas and says if he doesn't she will file a motion stating he is refusing to cooperate and that it is hampering the childs ability to get proper ID. Not sure how that's possible if they were using the name they were given at birth...

 

[Just Blue]

father has been actively involved - although mother has not honored ANY visitation since father's remarriage.

Mother is ordering him to sign paternity papers to change their last name in Kansas and says if he doesn't she will file a motion stating he is refusing to cooperate and that it is hampering the childs ability to get proper ID. Not sure how that's possible if they were using the name they were given at birth...

So let her file. She will have to prove her assertions. If I were you I would file for contempt for all visitation withheld.

 

[hcralston]

Funny thing is, the judge in her state -she moved out of Kansas as well - said she was not going to "FORCE" visitation if the kids don't want it. Interesting - I thought they were supposed to be concerned about the best interest of the kids, especially when dad is a great dad.

Also, I did search a lot for answers to the name change question but everything I come up with talks about mom/dad who were not married at time of birth, nothing specific to married parents at the time of birth.