Can I Change My Son's Birth Certificate?

Changing your child's birth certificate takes patience and paperwork

A child's birth certificate is usually filed within 48 hours of birth, so making a change to it can be difficult. Whether it's a first- or last-name change, it involves a great deal of paperwork and patience.

Paternity

A name change is allowed by most states if the paternity of the father is in question. Once paternity is legally established, you must notify the biological father in writing. You can then submit the documentation to change the child's birth certificate to the county court where you reside.

New Surname

If you remarry and want your new husband's name on your child's birth certificate, he must legally adopt him. If your child's biological father is living, he must relinquish his parental rights in order for the adoption to take place. After the formal adoption has taken place, you can then file the needed paperwork to execute a name change on your child's birth certificate.

First Name

According to BabyCenter.com, 10 percent of parents confess to having second thoughts about their child's first name. To change your child's name, you must go through the court in the county where you reside. File a petition for a name change with the court. Once the petition has been approved, you can request the change on your child's birth certificate.

References

• Law N.Y.: How to Change a Child's Name in New York
• Idph: How Do You Change the Child's Name on the Birth Certificate?