[annaguat]

Begin February our adoptive daughter's 19 yr old bio brother came to live with us. He has almost from the beginning used our last name in daily use and now wants to permanently lagaly change it to that. He also had no middle name and wants to add the name of his biological grandfather as that is who raised him. Coincidently his first and last name where the same so he will still be retain his bio father's last name as his first. I am not sure what direction to go or how to help him to have his name legally changed. Thanks! Anna

[djhuebner]

Contact an family practice attorney. They should be able to advise you. In some states it is a simple petition to legally change your name with a statement that it not being done to circumvent the law.

Good luck.

[DPline]

In our county, it is done through the County Probate Court. You might Google Legal Name Change and the name of your county. Or try calling or going into your Probate Court if it is easily accessable.

[dac_cincy]

Anna-

Any chance the 19 year is asking in a round about way about you formally adopting him? yes, he is an adult now, but perhaps he is looking for the permanent family connection.

If that is the case, you might also check at probabte court about formally adopting him and doing the name change at the same time.

Love and hugs,
Deb

[annaguat]

Originally Posted by dac_cincy

Anna-

Any chance the 19 year is asking in a round about way about you formally adopting him? yes, he is an adult now, but perhaps he is looking for the permanent family connection.

If that is the case, you might also check at probabte court about formally adopting him and doing the name change at the same time.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Thank you for reminding me. I asked him and he said yes he would like us to adopt him. Not sure about DH and confused about what his bio family will think. When we, DS and I, were picking up 11 yr old DD, he did tell his grandfather and mother that he was using our last name and grandpa was pleased he was using his name as a middle name. When it comes down to it I think we will need to talk to them and see if they are in agreement and ok with it. Not sure about the cost of all of it as that is a big issue for us right now with the economy. DH and I love him as our son and both he, DS, and we identify him as our son. It just doesn't fit all in the traditional boxes of adoption. I think because of the culture it will all depend on what the biofamily decides. This is how it went too regarding the 11 yr old coming to live with us. Anyone done an adult adoption?

Anna

[dac_cincy]

Anna-

The reason I asked is recently- maybe the last 6 months there was an article in the magazine "Adoption Today" (they one that has the ads for children in foster care) that was about a girl who was adopted in her late 20/early 30s by a family. She had had contact with them in her teens and considered them her family even though she aged out of care while with another family.

I don't know the process, but you might check the archives of the magazine to see if they mentioned any resources.

Love and hugs,
Deb

[wvamom]

Frequently adult adoption is a relatively simple process. If you will PM me with your state I will try to see if there is a Code section in that state with a simplified process.

Or you could simply call the county circuit court (or whatever the local court is called in your state) and ask if they have a form for an adult to be adopted.

Usually all that is required is for a petition to be filed and the adults to all consent. Then the court would issue an order of adoption, and include a name change if that is what you all agree on.

The only cost, I would think, would be the filing fee in the court--maybe under $200.

Carolyn

[annaguat]

Thank you for trying to help us! I will pm you. Anna

Originally Posted by wvamom

Frequently adult adoption is a relatively simple process. If you will PM me with your state I will try to see if there is a Code section in that state with a simplified process.

Or you could simply call the county circuit court (or whatever the local court is called in your state) and ask if they have a form for an adult to be adopted.

Usually all that is required is for a petition to be filed and the adults to all consent. Then the court would issue an order of adoption, and include a name change if that is what you all agree on.

The only cost, I would think, would be the filing fee in the court--maybe under $200.

Carolyn