Adopt my 18yr old daughter...

[Joseph1970]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

My 17 soon to be 18 year daughter wants me to adopt her and have my last name on her birth certificate. I have been her father since she was 3 months old.

Any ideas or starting points?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

My 17 soon to be 18 year daughter wants me to adopt her and have my last name on her birth certificate. I have been her father since she was 3 months old.

Any ideas or starting points?

By "daughter" I assume you mean "step daughter"?

Wait until she's 18; you can both do an adult adoption. Much easier.

 

[Joseph1970]

there's no paperwork saying she isn't, and I never contested. The mother wouldn't let me adopt years ago when I brought it up cuz here in Michigan u just can't walk in and put yourself on the birth certificate. She felt there was no reason to and since I was named in the court papers that was good enough.

 

[mistoffolees]

there's no paperwork saying she isn't, and I never contested. The mother wouldn't let me adopt years ago when I brought it up cuz here in Michigan u just can't walk in and put yourself on the birth certificate. She felt there was no reason to and since I was named in the court papers that was good enough.

I'm inclined to agree. There's really no reason to do so. What is it you hope to accomplish?

Now, if your wife weren't around and you were worried about next-of-kin issues, I could possibly see it, but I don't see what you gain.

 

[Joseph1970]

My daughter wants my last name on all her necessary paperwork. License, SS Card, and of course birth certificate. Right now if she fills out important paperwork she has to use the mothers maiden name since that is what is on the birth certificate.

 

[Zigner]

My daughter wants my last name on all her necessary paperwork. License, SS Card, and of course birth certificate. Right now if she fills out important paperwork she has to use the mothers maiden name since that is what is on the birth certificate.

Ok, let me be clear: You cannot adopt your own daughter. Your DAUGHTER should proceed with a legal name change when she turns 18.

 

[mistoffolees]

Ok, let me be clear: You cannot adopt your own daughter. Your DAUGHTER should proceed with a legal name change when she turns 18.

Exactly.

Just so OP knows the options, it IS possible to go to court to ask for a legal name change for a minor, but I wouldn't even consider it for a 17 year old for a number of reasons:

1. It will cost a significant amount of money for attorneys, especially if Mom wants to fight it.
2. It will take a MINIMUM of 6 months, maybe more - so it may not be done until after she's 18, anyway, so all the money will be wasted.
3. It will simply create one more thing for you and her Mom to fight about. I'm not above a good fight if there's a reason for it, but since there's no reason for it (see 1 and 2), why bother?

Wait until she's 18 and she can file for a name change. The County Clerk can probably direct her to the correct forms - or she can find them online. It will be a simple 'fill out the paperwork, submit it, and you're done' process rather than a battle.

 

[Joseph1970]

Many thanks to all...

Will the name change be on her SS card and birth certificate also?

 

[Zigner]

Many thanks to all...

Will the name change be on her SS card and birth certificate also?

SS Card - yes. Birth Cert - in *my* state it was. Don't know about yours.

 

[Joseph1970]

Thanks to all for your help.

I do appreciate.

 

[Joseph1970]

This thought banged into my head. I was told I could not be on her birth certificate without adopting.

Am I understanding this correctly here in Michigan?

 

[stealth2]

It would help if you clarified things. ARE you actually the child's biological father? Or some dude who connected with Mom after she was pregnant?

 

[BigSisLittleMom]

It would help if you clarified things. ARE you actually the child's biological father? Or some dude who connected with Mom after she was pregnant?

that would be really helpful.

 

[stealth2]

that would be really helpful.

Sweetheart.... if you're really 14? You're in no position to be offering advice.

 

[BigSisLittleMom]

Sweetheart.... if you're really 14? You're in no position to be offering advice.

... don't patronize me. and i just wanted to know the story i wasn't going to give advice. i only asked because it's seriously confusing is it his daughter or is the step father. all i wanted to know