questions & answers

Question: My son is 2 and a half years old. His biological father is around but hasn't had communication with my son for a while now. He never supported me financially and has been incarcerated more dan 2 times. He also has a deportation order. Do I still need his consent to remove his last name and my fiancé adopte him?

Answer: The answer to your question is governed by Arizona Statute.  Arizona Revised Statutes, Sections 36-323 and 36-337.  To get detailed instructions on how to change your child's name, go to adhs.gov/licensing/vital-records.  Look at the categories on the left side of the page and click on changes and amendments.  Then, click on changing the name of the registrant.  You will find a detailed set of instructions.  Because your child is more than a year old, you will need to go through the court to change his name.  Please look at the instructions on the website and proceed from there.