If a father has not seen his child in 13 years does he still have rights and does the mother need his permission to have the child's last name changed?

Answer 1

Only the court can terminate parental rights permanently. An absentee father is not bound by any time limits on when he may seek visitation or even custodial rights concerning his child/children, the exception is a court ajudication of abandonment. The issue pertaining to changing a child's name, it cannot be done arbitrarily. State laws govern how or if a change of name can be done without the permission of the biological father.

Answer 2

Generally the court will require that notice of the petition for a name change be given to the father. The court may allow a publishing if the father's address is not known or a mailing to his last known address.