I believe in Australia, it can just be done through Centrelink (if you are on payments), but I am only going on the info I have for an adult, not a child.

Without knowing what custody arrangements are or the level of involvement of your son's father, I would suggest seeking advice from the local family courts or through your local Family Assistance Office.

I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.  March is a very good month to have a baby, 3 out of 5 of mine are Marchers.

Hi there, you can legally change your sons surname by deedpoll through births deaths and marriages. The one question is does your exs' name appear on the birth certificate?? If so maybe you could just ask him if he would mind you changing the surname even if you hyphernate the surnames that way he will still have his fathers name in there. I myself have 10 children and the two older children have a different surname to my other 8. My younger ones have queried me on why they have different last names i just explain that they have a different dad and they are ok with that. My older two used to just add my married name to the end of theirs by their choice never were made to. If your son is the only thing that your ex really has to live for in his life i would ask if he minded if you were to put your married name when you are married on the end of your sons name. If he agrees then all is good if not you can then just tell people his name and add the name you will be named after marriage at the end. There is no need to be embarressed at what others may think to be honest if they query your childrens names they have nothing better to do. hahaha.

Good luck with your marriage and with making the right decision for your children.

I changed my childrens surnames to mine when I split from bio dad.But, it was only after he had taken me to court for Parental Responsibility and access and was refused both, that I could do it.I'm not sure how it works now you should look into it further.Good luck

In my situation, the donor attempted to take mine and my childs life. We have nothing to do with him and his name is not on the birth certificate. He has never seen her nor paid for any of her expenses.

When hubby and I got married I changed her name by depoll. Hubby signs all her consent forms and medicial details. He is consider her father as he has raised her most of her life. We never bothered with formal adoption.

It cost me $120 AUS and that was 2001 after we got married. My dad had a hissy fit as she had my maiden name!!!

Cheers Raven

I really would'n't worry about it, my eldest is lakeisha leah wolstenholme-frost, my second is harmony eather and my third is riley watson. My maiden name is wolstenholme, my married name is watson. Harmony's father has a lot to do with her (would not be happy to change her name not that i want to), lakeishas father has nothing to do with her (through his own choice) she just leaves off the frost when she can (by her own choice). I really don't think that my children care at all what their last name is. Good luck with your marrige 

Do you think that this is fare on your ex? If he still see's your son and is a good father to him?

I no alot of people that have different sure names through out the family, including my father, he remarried a woman that already had one child, they then went onto have another together, the kids are now 5 and 7 and there are no problems the kids understand the difference, no one feels embarresed about it etc. It doesnt stop them from being a family or loving each other and they both get treated the same.

The last thing you should be feeling is embarresment towards this issue or people questioning why your children have different surenames, its sort of a spot the obvious really.

All you can do is approch the subject with your ex :)

Just my 2 cents but I would wait until you're married incase things don't turn out with fiance' and you have to go through the whole process again.

I would think that it would be an issue that you would need to discuss with your solicitor. Lots of families hyphenate their kids names to encompass the parentage of both families. I do need to ask though, does your son's father have visitation rights or part custody?

This would complicate matters somewhat.

Changing the name is simple, you change it via the deed poll system, which I believe you can find out from your solicitor how it can be done.

 Does he still see his father? If so I don't see why you want it to "match", His father is still his family as well.

My parents split when I was around 1 and I still have my dads name (I see him) But i lives with my mum and 1/2 brother and sisters and stepdad, and i still have my dads last name. Its my dad, and your sons father is his dad  no matter what hehe.

If he dosnt see his dad then thats fair enough because this is now his family. But if he sees his dad I would say dont change it, as his dad is still his family. And what if this relationship was to fall thru then he would have the name of someone who isnt even related to him.

It may also backfire when he gets older and asks why he had his name changed.

Just some stuff to think about. Good luck :)

I really have no idea about facts.  If its something you really want to do then I would just call the births death and marriages and ask them, you would have to change it by 'de-poll*' not sure  of spelling.  And then for any forms you will have to state if he is/was known by any of names. 

My first two were to a previous partner ( they have his last name)we broke up at the end of 2002, an he passed away in 2006. my  current partner whom I met 3 months after my ex and I  broke up have had 2 children as well and they have his last name.  There is times when my oldest will ask if he can have the same last name, as his younger brothers.  we arent married so there is 3 different last names which does get confusing for people an a little embarresing for me.  So after all that rambling just wanted to say personally (for me) I would keep his last name the same as it is. 

Hope you work it out im sure it wont be to hard to chance if its what you want.