When I was 8 years old, my mother remarried and I was legally adopted by my stepfather, changing my last name. When they divorced and my mot...

Question

When I was 8 years old, my mother remarried and I was legally adopted by my stepfather, changing my last name. When they divorced and my mother remarried my birth father, I legally changed my name back to my original birth name. However, I never changed my birth certificate. I didn't know that was a separate process. Now my birth record shows a last name that I haven't used in 20 years and a father that was not my real father. I'm wanting to apply for a passport now and I'm affraid I won't be able to get one because my name is different on my birth certificate than it is on my SS card and driver's license. What should I do?

Answer

I think you need to bring a Petition to change your name in District Court. That might have to be researched a bit more though.

Nathan Hansen

651-704-9600

Answer

I would think that if you bring in the birth certificate and the court order granting your name change you should be in pretty good shape. I am not even sure if you can change your name on the birth certificate.