[TX] How do I change my last name on my birth certificate?
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I'm so sorry about this situation! At 18, you have the legal right to petition the court yourself for a name change. Once the judge signs the order, you can submit that to the Vital Statistics office to update your birth certificate. If your only goal is to update your last name to Miranda, you don’t need to reopen the paternity issue—just request the name change.
So here is what you need to do:
Once you get the signed court order, send that certified copy to the Texas Vital Statistics Unit with the application to amend your birth certificate (Form VS-170).
Make sure everything matches (name, date of birth, etc.), and that should be enough to get your new birth certificate issued.
Does that help clarify things? I want to make sure I didn’t leave anything out.
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I am an 18-year-old female who wants to change my last name. My birth certificate in El Paso County, Texas, originally listed another man as my father. My real father gained custody of me when I was 4, and a DNA paternity test was taken, stating positive. I have had a birth certificate with the original name for the past 18 years, but now I want to get a driver’s license and need to change the last name on my birth certificate.
I understand that changing your last name can be an important step for you. Have you already started the process of obtaining a court order for the name change?
Yes, I just filled out the eForms one online.
Are there any specific documents or evidence you have regarding your father’s custody and the DNA test results?
Yes, I have all the paperwork stating that my father is my true father and he has custody. When he gained custody, the lawyer was supposed to change my name on my birth certificate, but they never did. My Social Security has the correct name, however. I did attempt to send a change of name on my birth certificate with all the court documents to Austin, but they sent it back to me after 2 months, stating they needed a court order saying my dad was my legal father.
Is there anything else the Family Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with your name change.
So my question is since I’ve already gone that route, can’t I just file a name change as an adult then send that documentation to Austin?
Hello! My name is Michael, and I'm an attorney ready to help! Your responses matter to me, so I only need a few minutes to review and respond to each of your posts. Have you already filed the adult name change petition with the court, or are you waiting to see if that will be accepted as enough proof for Vital Statistics to amend your birth certificate?
I am filling out the name change petition to the court now as an adult through this website, because Austin sent back my original paperwork that had the court filings from my father when he gained custody of me. They said they needed a court order stating my father was my legal father even though I sent documents that said he was, so I figured just to do it as an adult now that I’m 18 since it will probably take too long otherwise.
Sure thing! Are you planning to request the name change only, or are you also asking the court to formally recognize your father as your legal father in this petition?
Vital Statistics won’t amend my birth certificate with the court documents I sent from my father, gaining custody, saying he is my legal father. So now I’m 18, so I thought I’d fill out the adult change of name.
Ok! Did you need to tell me anything else? If not, I can start with answering your question.
I’m attempting to change the name and get a new birth certificate with the new name. I don’t necessarily need to recognize my father as legal since the previous papers say that anyway, and I’m an adult now.
Ok! I just need a little time to draft up a high-quality answer. I'll be with you as soon as possible. It won't be terribly long, ok?
Okay, thanks.
I'm so sorry about this situation! At 18, you have the legal right to petition the court yourself for a name change. Once the judge signs the order, you can submit that to the Vital Statistics office to update your birth certificate. If your only goal is to update your last name to Miranda, you don’t need to reopen the paternity issue—just request the name change.
So here is what you need to do:
Once you get the signed court order, send that certified copy to the Texas Vital Statistics Unit with the application to amend your birth certificate (Form VS-170).
Make sure everything matches (name, date of birth, etc.), and that should be enough to get your new birth certificate issued.
Does that help clarify things? I want to make sure I didn’t leave anything out.
Yes, it does. Thank you very much. So I filled out the eform to change my name and I can walk it myself to the court and hand it to the court to start the process, right?
Yes, once you've completed the eform for the name change, you can print it and take it in person to the courthouse to file it. Make sure you bring proper ID and the filing fee or a fee waiver application if needed. After filing, the court will give you a hearing date or instructions on the next steps.
Okay, thank you very much.
For sure! Did I thoroughly address your question? Did I provide top-tier service to you? If the answer is no to either, please let me know so I can help!
Yes, you did. Thank you very much!
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