Adoptive parents must obtain a court order to change their child’s name and birth certificate. Adoption procedures vary worldwide, but in the US, it is a lengthy legal process. The new birth certificate will show the adoptive parents as the biological parents and reflect the name change.
When a child is legally adopted, the new parent or parents typically want to change their name and obtain a birth certificate showing the adoptive parent, or parents, as the child’s parents. To do this, a court must authorize the changes, and an official adoption certificate must be submitted to the registry office. The adoption certificate authorizes the issuance of a new, amended birth certificate stating the child’s new name and showing the adoptive parents as the parent of the child.
Adoption procedures may vary in different jurisdictions around the world. In the United States, adoption is a rather lengthy legal process. The prospective adoptive parent, or parents, must petition the competent court asking for permission to adopt the child. Once it has been ascertained that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, the court will grant the request and make the adoption final. As part of the petition, the adoptive parent or parents will ask the court to rule change the child’s name.
While the adoption may be finalized and the child’s name legally changed, the child’s birth certificate will still reflect his or her birth name and biological parents. Birth certificates cannot be changed without a court order authorizing the change. Accordingly, the adoptive parent(s) must submit an adoption certificate to the birth certificate issuing department to change the child’s name.
Most courts or population statistics departments have a standard adoption certificate form that is used to request a new birth certificate. The attorney or parents typically fill out the information stating what the current birth certificate shows and what the new birth certificate should show. Typically, the attorney representing the parent, or parents, will present the adoption certificate along with the proposed final order granting the adoption. The judge or clerk must then approve and sign the certificate.
The new parent or parents must then present the adoption certificate to the appropriate agency, upon which a new, amended birth certificate will be issued. The new birth certificate will show the adoptive parent, or parents, as the child’s biological parents. The new birth certificate will also reflect the name change requested by the adoptive parents. Normally, the original birth certificate will continue to exist; however, it will only be sealed and available for viewing by court order.
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