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My sons name was changed when he was about a year and a half. It went from my last name to his daddies last name. It only costed like $10 and a short trip to the court house. You need a last name, but yours will do.

It's only expensive and a hassle if you want to change from the father's name to your name. That's mainly because the father has to agree with it... and most of them don't. If you both agree to the name change then like "mommy" said, it only takes a few bucks and a trip to the court house.

I gotta question...My baby's dad was in jail when my son was born and he still is in jail and he asked me why I didn't give him his last name and I told him it was b/c he had to be there to sign the papers. Could I of still given him his last name without him signing the papers?

You probably could've... but don't quote me on that, because I don't know for sure. Even so, if he wants the baby to have his last name when he gets out of jail, and you also want the baby to have his last name... it shouldn't be much of a problem to get it changed.

can you take the papers tot he jail during visiting hours?

I believe that although you can put the father's name on the birth record, it cannot be recorded on the official birth certificate without his signature. But you can name your child anything you want to name him/her. So I would say to be on the safe side, you give the baby your last name because it wouldn't be fair to take a stab in the dark. Then, once you determine who the father is, if he wants the baby to have his last name, let him decide and work with you to take care of it. Just because you determine paternity, it does not mean you have to change the baby's last name unless you want to do so.

I just wanted to say that in Pennsylvania as long as the father is present for the birth you can give the baby his last name. My daughter has her father's last name even though he didn't sign the birth certificate. Sometimes I wish she didn't though. LOL. Best wishes. Sara.

sara b... I'm just wondering why you would give your daughter her father's last name when he wouldn't even sign the birth certificate. Was it because of traditional values? or you just thought that was the thing to do at the time?