Can I change my stepchild's first name during adoption in Louisiana?

You can ask for the first name you want for your stepchild in your Louisiana adoption paperwork, but exactly how the District Court in your parish handles a first-name change is something the clerk can confirm. Because a first name is a bigger change than a surname, it helps to settle the details before you file.

Where the name request goes: Your stepparent adoption is filed as a Petition for Intrafamily Adoption in the District Court of your parish. That is the document where you tell the court about the adoption you are asking for, so it is the natural place to state the name you want your stepchild to have afterward. The District Court clerk in your parish can tell you how the court wants a name request presented and whether a first-name change needs anything extra.

Your stepchild's voice matters: Louisiana does not require the child's consent to an adoption. The court does ask for and consider the wishes of a child 12 or older (La. Ch.C. Art. 1253(C)). If your stepchild is 12 or older, expect their feelings, including about their name, to be part of what the court hears. Whatever their age, talk with them first. A first name is part of who a child is, and a child who feels included usually handles the change better.

Name options to think about:

• Keep the first name and change only the last name to match your family.
• Change the first name if you and your stepchild both want that.
• Change or add a middle name, such as using a family surname.
• Keep every name exactly as it is. An adoption does not have to include any name change.

The other parent: If the child's other legal parent is involved, a first-name change can become a sensitive issue, and if that parent disagrees, the case may be contested. Contested situations, or cases where a parent cannot be located, depend on the specific facts. Please talk with the District Court clerk or an attorney about those.

Cost and timing: Court filing fees in Louisiana typically run $200-$400, and the total cost of a stepparent adoption handled without an attorney is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ for attorney-handled cases. Stepparent adoptions in Louisiana typically take 3-6 months. Ask the clerk whether a name request changes the fee or the timing in your parish.

Updated records: After the adoption is final, the Louisiana Office of Vital Records handles the child's birth record. It can confirm how and when a new name appears and how to order certified copies.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, including the name you want for your stepchild, and we prepare the complete court document package for your parish. You then file it yourself without an attorney. Delivery is within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. The price is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, backed by our 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 881 Louisiana families and more than 34,000 families nationally since 2001.