Once the termination of parental rights is completed, will I be able to change my child’s last name so it is no longer the same as the name of the parent whose rights are terminated, but instead the same as my last name? I understand this may be possible in the case of a step-parent adoption, which will be conducted separately from the termination procedure - but I will not be sharing my fiance’s last name, and my child will not either. Could we change my child’s last name to mine without a step-parent adoption, and in the case of a step-parent adoption will the only option be taking the step-father’s last name? Thank you!
You may change your child’s name to match yours upon application to the court.