How do you legally change a baby's name?

My teen son and his girlfriend had a baby last month. They both signed paternity papers and the baby's legal name is my son's. Since then, they have broken up and the girl wants to change the baby's name to hers. Can they do this without my son's consent? What are his rights? Who do I go to for help?

How do you legally change a baby's name?
Trixie is correct. Once a child is given a name, legally, it cannot be changed without a court Order. The court requires both parents' consent if they are each registered on the birth certificate as a parent of the child. So the answer is No, the mom cannot change the surname of the baby without the father's consent. He has two things in his favor here: He has signed a legal document accepting paternity and he is named as the baby's father on the birth certificate. If you want clarification of this, call your state/province's Department of Vital Statistics, and someone there will be glad to assure you.
Reply:You have to go to the courthouse and go to the civil circuit counter and buy the package fill it out and pay the ridiculous amount to file it.
Reply:I'd go to the birth certificate place and ask - or ring them up/email.





If this doesnt work then have your son call a solicitor and find out his rights.
Reply:She needs your son's consent to change the baby's name. Either that or wait until the baby is 18.
Reply:you have to change it within 6 months of the baby's birth or else you must pay a fee.
Reply:Secretary of State!

jasmine