Can I change an adopted child’s name?

In Indiana, as in many other states, you can change an adopted child’s name. To do this, you must obtain a court order after filing a petition for a name change. This application is made in the county where the adoption was finalized. Additionally, you must provide notice of the name change to the adopted child’s birth parents. When the court is asked to change the name of an adopted child, they will evaluate the request based on its potential impact on the adopted child, the adopted child’s family, parents and siblings, and the birth family. The court is likely to grant permission if the change would be beneficial to the child’s welfare. The application for a name change typically requires you to provide evidence that the change is in the best interest of the child, including your reasons for preferring the change and how it will benefit the adopted child. You must also provide evidence of the adopted child’s current name and the proposed name. Additionally, you must make sure that adequate steps are taken to notify the adopted child’s birth parents. The court may order a search to try to locate the birth parents, and there are other options such as publication in a newspaper. If the court decides that the name change is in the best interests of the adopted child, it will enter an order authorizing the change. It is important to note that the name change is not effective until the order is granted. Once the order is granted, you should file a certified copy with the local office of vital records immediately so that the adopted child can obtain updated government documents with their new name.

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