questions & answers

Question: I just got married and want to change my daughters last name to match mine. She is 6 months old and there is no father on the birth certificate nor do I know who they are. What forms do I need and will I have to pay a fee for PIMA county minor name change because of marriage.

Answer: First, I am sure you are aware that there is a difference between changing your daughter's name and having your new husband adopt her. Changing her name will not give your new husband any legal rights to your daughter. Name changes are governed  by Arizona Statute.  Because your daughter is only 6 months old, you should not have to go to court.  You can do the name change through the vital records section of the Arizona Department of Health Services.  Go on the website:  www.adhs.gov/licensing/vital-records.  Look for the section on changing a registrant's name on a birth certificate.  There, you will find detailed instructions.  The department instructions provides the following instructions to change the name of a child who is more than 90 days old but less than one year old.   It lists out everything you need to do and the documents you will need.