united-states children birth-certificate
Child with a different last name from the biological father
<p>The Mother M and the father F conceive a child C. F leaves M and leaves the country before the birth of C. Subsequently, M marries a different person, H. A paternity test shows that F is the biological father.</p>
<p>Under US law, under which conditions would the last name of H be listed on the birth certificate? Does F have any say in this?</p>

<p>Under US law, there is no requirement for a child to have the same last name as the legal father, the biological father, or the mother. Initially the last name is specified on the birth certificate, often taken from the name of the listed father, but that is not required. But the name can be changed at any time, by a custodial parent or guardian while the child is minor, and later by the child directly.</p>
