questions & answers

Question: I have a 6year old daughter from a previous relationship we were never married,but she has his last name. He is paying child support. I've been married for 3 years and have two more children,and i would like to change my daughter's last name to ours. how would i do this and would it effect child support payments?

Answer:

To change a child’s last name, one must fill out the necessary forms and submit them to the Arizona Superior Court within which the child resides. This link provides links to all of the Arizona Superior Courts. “All of the necessary forms and instructions for this can also be found on the Internet at the Self Service Center of the Maricopa County Superior Court , or in person at the Superior Court building in your county. The forms were prepared for use in Maricopa County but can be used in other Arizona counties if you change "Maricopa" to your county name in the pleadings” 

 The following link outlines the procedure for legally changing a child’s name. It should be noted that other parent will be notified of the request to change the child’s name, and has the right to either object or accept the application. Arizona law prohibits a change in name to relieve a person of any rights of property in the original name ARS 12-601 & ARS 12-602. Therefore, a name change will not affect child support payments.