Schools and government agencies usually need your child’s name to match the one on their birth certificate.

There are 3 ways to officially change your child’s name:

1. You change your own last name: If you get a name change order, your child can take your new last name if the other parent is notified and agrees. You would need to request this in your court proceeding.

2. Paternity: The parents can sign a paternity acknowledgment form that adds the father’s name to the child’s birth certificate. Using this form, the child can take the father’s last name, or a name combining the parents' names, if both parents agree.  A new birth certificate would be issued.

3. To change your child’s name for any other reason: Ask the New York State Supreme Court by filing court forms, including a Name Change Petition.

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Last Reviewed: April 21, 2023