Can we list the baby's father on the birth certificate without his last name?

Full question:

My daughter (16 yrs old) is expecting a baby in December. My daughter and the baby's father want to continue to date and he wants to be a part of the baby's life. My question is.. Can we put him on the birth Certificate as the father without giving the baby his last name? And also if they do indeed get married some day, how difficult would it be to change the baby's last name?

Answer:

The mother typically decides the last name on the birth certificate, so she can choose not to use the father's last name. If they later wish to change the baby's last name, they will need to file a Name Change action in court. This is a common legal procedure.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

It is not illegal to leave the father's name off a birth certificate. The mother has the right to decide whether to include the father's name. However, if the father wishes to be recognized legally, he may need to establish paternity through a court process.