How can a spouse or minor child have their name changed?

In Pennsylvania, a woman who has assumed the last name of her husband upon marriage can have her last name changed back to her maiden name once a divorce complaint has been filed and a written request is made to the court.  A hearing or other court appearance is not required to complete the wife's change of name.  On the other hand, changing the name of a minor child may be more challenging.  Issues involving the last name of a minor child often arise when the mother and father are not married and the mother chooses the child's last name without input from the biological father.  If both parents are named on the child's birth certificate and both parents agree to change the minor child's name, the parents can do so by submitting a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Statistics.  If one parent desires to change a child's name as listed on the minor child's birth certificate and the other parent objects, a legal action must be filed and a hearing conducted to determine if it is appropriate to change the last name of a minor child. 

Our lawyers conduct appointments in our Allegheny County offices located in downtown Pittsburgh and in Whitehall borough as well as in our Butler County office located in Cranberry Township.  In some circumstances, telephone appointments are available.  Our attorneys accept family law cases in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Somerset County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County (Greensburg).  Our Pennsylvania family law attorneys accept cases from other Western Pennsylvania counties including Clarion County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, and Venango County on a case-by-case basis.  To inquire about scheduling a consultation, click here . 

 Disclaimer

The statements in this section are based on Pennsylvania law and have been issued to inform and not advise. The statements are general in nature and individual facts in a given case may alter their application or involve other laws not referred to here.

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