Will my adopted stepchild automatically get my last name in North Dakota?

No — the name change is your choice, not automatic. You decide during the adoption process whether and how to change the child's name.

How it works in North Dakota:

• In the Petition for Adoption, there is a section for the child's desired name after adoption
• If you want the child to have your last name, enter it there
• If you want to keep the child's current name, enter the current name
• The judge approves the name as part of the adoption order

Your options:

1. Change to your last name — the most common choice
2. Keep the current name — completely valid
3. Hyphenate — combine both names (e.g., Smith-Johnson)
4. Change first and/or middle name — also allowed

After the adoption:

• The new birth certificate from North Dakota Division of Vital Records reflects whatever name you chose
• Update school records, medical records, Social Security, and other documents
• We include a post-adoption checklist for all name-related updates

If the child is 10+: They must consent to the adoption, which includes any name change. Their preference matters.

There is no extra cost for the name change — it is included in the adoption process and our $349 fee.

Specify your preference on the questionnaire at stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register.