name change of step-son

[jojake 0]

hi all.

i have recently married a colombian woman who came to the usa on a k1 visa, and i now have a step-son who came on the k2 visa. we have sent the i485 and associated forms to uscis. my step-son wants to have my last name. my question is, if we get his name changed now, will that "gum up the works" of his adjustment of status? is there any best time in the process to do this? does anyone know how we would notify uscis? can we get his name changed then at the interview let them know his new name? if anyone has any experiece with this, please let me know. thanks. bob

[eau_xplain 2]

Don't you have to adopt him in order for his name change to be official?

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

I suppose it depends on where the person is from. In Ontario, Can, I changed my son's surname to mine, after his father abandoned him. No adoption was involved.

[Reba 2]

That's a bit of a different thing though. If a parent abandons a child, they have no claim to the name, so the child can take the MOther's name. However, if in teh case of the OP, the boy has a biological father who is involved in his life, then the bio-father would have to give consent to allow the step-father to adopt him and let him change his name.

I suggest consulting with an adoption and/or family lawyer to find out what your options are.

[jojake 0]

the father is not listed on the birth certificate and he grew up using his mother's former surnames. just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.