Get MA JV-AP-1 2007-2024

Get a certified copy of your birth certificate. ... Visit the Probate and Family Court in your Massachusetts county of residence. ... Complete the petition. ... Attach the certified copy of your birth certificate to the petition. ... Attend the hearing.

Obtain a Massachusetts name change form from the Probate Court in your county by visiting the clerk's office. Fill out the name change form on behalf of the minor child. Complete the child's address information, birthplace and birth name information, parental information and reasons for the name change.

The process of changing a child's legal name will differ depending on the state. Generally, you will need to file a petition with the court where the child lives and pay a filing fee. If the court agrees that the name change is in the child's best interest, then you can change the child's birth certificate.

You cannot simply change a child's last name when you remarry or set up a new partnership. ... A mother, or father, cannot change a child's surname by herself or himself unless she or he is the only person with parental responsibility. Even then if the other parent objects a Court Order should be made.

It is free to change the last name of a child during the course of a Family Court proceeding. There is, however, a $65 fee for filing for a name change in Civil Court and a $210 fee for Supreme Court. ShowWhat are the rights of the biological father after a child's name is changed?

In short, no. In order to change the name of a minor child, a petitioner must prove to the court that he or she has the legal authority to act on behalf of the child. A non-custodial parent will have no documentation to support that...

A parent must get the court's permission to change her child's surname from the one that appears on his birth certificate. If you are your child's legal father, she must officially notify you that she's doing this; she can't accomplish it behind your back. ... After you receive this, the law gives you the right to object.

When Both Parents Agree to the Name Change (or one parent is deceased or has no legal rights) When both parents agree to have a child's name changed, the parents can file papers to have a judge legally change the child's name. Only one parent's consent is needed under certain limited circumstances.

Your legal right to change your child's last name does not depend on your custody arrangement. Even if you have sole legal and physical custody, the court might not allow you to change her last name if her other parent maintains a frequent and loving relationship with her and if he objects.

The key to making an argument to change a child's name is to present the legal reasons for the change and show a judge that it is in the best interests of the child. The easiest way to convince a judge is to point to the factors put forth in state laws that support the request.

Make the Call The first step is to call (800) KIDS-508 and talk to DCF. ... Submit an Interest Form After the call, the next step is to submit an application. ... Pass a Background Check Once you submit the application, DCF will do a background check of everyone over the age of 15 in your home.

The Massachusetts foster care program has 3,500 children waiting to be adopted. While you can also opt for private adoption, the cost can range anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000. The average cost of a private adoption in Massachusetts is $40,000. Some say that high cost is driving too many families away from adopting.

Most adoption professionals have their own age requirements to adopt in Massachusetts, including American Adoptions, where we require adoptive parents to be between 22 to 50 years old.

Other types of adoption usually do cost money. According to Child Welfare Information Gateway, working with a private agency to adopt a healthy newborn or baby or to adopt from another country can cost $5,000 to $40,000. Some agencies have a sliding scale based on the prospective adoptive parent's income.

There are hard things about adopting, placing, and being adopted. However, just because adoption is hard, doesn't mean it isn't worth it. ... Adoption makes strong people stronger. Most members of the adoption triad will tell you that as hard as adoption has been, it blesses and enriches their lives every day.