Can you give a baby any last name?

You can choose any name, or no name. In many cultures the child's last name listed on the birth record is the father's family name, but that is optional.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on courts.ca.gov


Can my baby have a random last name?

"In a nutshell, there are no laws surrounding surnames, apart from the standard laws that relate to first names. You can therefore give your child any surname you want," Vashti said.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on abc.net.au


What last name does baby take if not married?

With a few exceptions, most states allow parents to choose their child's name, without restriction. Unmarried partners can decide to choose one parent's last name, hyphenate both last names, or create a new last name that combines both parents' names.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nolo.com


Can a baby have a different last name than both parents?

No law in the US requires that parent and child have the same last name. It is usual that a child's name match that of at least one parent, but not required. A parent can change his or her name, without changing the names of any existing children.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on law.stackexchange.com


Whose last name does a baby take?

The child's last name on a birth certificate

The last name can be: The mother's surname when the child was born; The father's surname when the child was born; Both parents' names, recorded in any order, hyphenated or unhyphenated; or.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cssd.dc.gov


Why Should I Give My Child My Baby Daddy Last Name?



Does the baby have to have the father's last name?

You can choose any name, or no name. In many cultures the child's last name listed on the birth record is the father's family name, but that is optional.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on courts.ca.gov


Does a baby automatically take the father's surname?

Parents can give their child whatever name or surname they want! Although it's traditional to give a child the father's surname, or, less commonly, the mother's surname, the child's surname could be a combination of both (for example) — or something completely different.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wilkinchapman.co.uk


Can I name my child whatever I want?

The law bans names that contain “obscenity, numerals, symbols, or a combination of letters, numerals, or symbols…”, but naming a child after a mass murderer is A-OK. In most cases, the United States is pretty relaxed about what you can name your child when it comes to the stigma or meaning a name may carry.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dictionary.com


Can you legally have no last name in the US?

In the United States, going without a name is not inherently illegal. Police won't arrest you for not having a name. But you can't legally identify yourself without one, which would make things difficult for you.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on people.howstuffworks.com


How long do you have to name a baby after it's born?

The hospital may ask you to fill out the birth certificate before you leave. But if you need more time, you do not have to decide at the hospital. If you do not choose a name within 10 days, the state will make a birth certificate for “baby boy” or “baby girl” with the mother's last name.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on teenhealthrights.org


Why a baby should have the father's last name?

"The surname remains the only way of showing legitimacy. Without it, there's no certainty that the kid has a legal father."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on salon.com


What is the last name of a child born out of wedlock?

A child born out of wedlock is usually given the mother's last name, particularly if paternity has not been established.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chattertonlaw.com


Can I put fathers name on birth certificate without him being present?

A father's name can be added to the birth certificate at a later time. If the parents are married, then both parents details will appear on the birth certificate. Either parent can register the child's birth on their own. This means if the father is married to the mother they can register the name.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kabirfamilylaw.co.uk


Should I give my baby my boyfriends last name?

Whether you are married or not, you don't have to give the baby the last name of either parent if you don't want to, and the child does not have to have the father's last name to be considered "legitimate." (See the article Legitimacy of Children Born to Unmarried Parents for more on the subject.)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nolo.com


What happens if parents don't agree to last name baby?

Go to a hearing

In most cases, you'll go to a court hearing. If the other parent doesn't agree, the judge will hear both sides and make a decision about your child's name change.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on selfhelp.courts.ca.gov


Can I name my kid Jesus?

United States. III, Jesus Christ, Adolf Hilter, Santa Claus and @ were all ruled illegal by courts in the U.S.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on today.com


Is last name mandatory?

Yes , It is must. If you have the surname in your legal documents like passport, birth certificate, etc.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthyjournal.com


Can I give my baby any last name I want in Texas?

And special characters used in languages other than English, such as letters with accents, are also not permitted in Texas. But Texas parents are not required to give their child their surname and can instead choose another — say, Tony Romo Jr., for example.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dallasnews.com


What baby names are not allowed?

List of illegal baby names in the United States and around the...
  • King.
  • Queen.
  • Jesus Christ.
  • III.
  • Santa Claus.
  • Majesty.
  • Adolf Hitler.
  • Messiah.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on khon2.com


What happens if you dont pick a name for your baby?

But it's completely legal in most U.S. states to leave the baby portion of the birth-certificate blank. You can walk out of any hospital with a nameless child (as long as it's your own). The paperwork can wait. And in some places, the paperwork can wait for up to a year.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fatherly.com


Who picks the child's name?

Or the mom can choose the name of the first baby and the dad can name the second baby. You may also agree to have someone else such as a family member, choose a name. Perhaps each grandparent can submit a name, and then decide on one as a family.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellfamily.com


Who has custody of a child when the parents are not married?

If a child's parents are not married when the child is born, the mother automatically has parental responsibility and the father acquires parental responsibility if: He obtains a parental responsibility order from a court.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on frettens.co.uk


Does the father have to pay child support if he is not on the birth certificate UK?

Yes you will be able to claim maintenance from him, without him being on the birth certificate.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mumsnet.com


Do both parents have to be present to register a birth?

If parents are not married, both parents must present themselves personally at the nearest Home Affairs Office and bring along their IDs, to sign and acknowledge paternity. Among other things, a birth certificate will enable your child to: Receive government grant; • Register for Grade R; • Travel abroad.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dha.gov.za


Does a father have 50 50 rights?

With 50/50 physical custody, each parent spends an equal amount of time with the child. Since this arrangement requires a lot of cooperation between parents, judges won't approve it unless they believe it will work and is in the child's best interest.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on custodyxchange.com