last name for baby

OK I was wondering if any lawyers or computer savvy ladies can help me. Here is the issue. I didn't change my last name when I got married. I don't ever plan on changing it. We were supposed to hyphenate the babies last name but dh decided he doesn't want it. He wants to just put the two last names together without a hyphen ie: instead of Smith-Jones it would be Smithjones.
Does anyone know if this is legal?
Can we do this or do we have to have a space or a hyphen? Like First Middle Smith-Jones or First Middle Smith Jones.
Thanks for any help. I looked online but I can't find anything relevant on it.

For some reason I don't think you can do this. But a good place to ask would be the hospital. I think the admin. at the hospital would know what to do in terms of the birth certificate.

HTH

ETA: Congratulations! Your date is so soon!

Thanks ladies. I am actually having the baby early. So with about 6-9 weeks to go this baby has no name. No first name no middle name no last name. I am really starting to freak a little.

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Posted by aimes1313

As far as I'm aware, you can name your child anything you want. You can give just one name, hypnated, join them, or completely make one up.

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I believe this is correct. When my SIL had my niece, I helped her fill out the birth certificate form and you could enter any last name you wanted.... which at the time I was like, um so you could just give her a last name of like 'Gremlin' or 'Icecream' and that's ok???

So I'm pretty sure you can combine your last names

Yea you can name the kid whatever you want -there was a couple that wanted to name thier baby mackdaddy or something insane like that-made the news. The hospital actually made a stink about it lol because it was RIDICULOUS or papiG something off the wall. so you're good but why not make the baby have two middle names? the SmithJones thing looks a little odd to me and my concern would be when the kid gets over and has to fill out legal forms, would there ever be issues where it would take longer for things to process because they had to verify their last name -like would they think it was computer error and should be Smith Jones and would that hold up processing?

Does that make sense?

Maybe just name the kid, use a middle then then smith then jones for last name.

Like Um Molly Becky Smith Jones.

)not those names of course lol)

I would use your last name as the middle name. Otherwise it is going to be very confusing for not only your child but for other people. I agree with Jenn when she said that they may have to take the time to verify the name to make sure it is not a typo or something to that nature. I would suggest something like this.....

Conor Smith Jones
or
Madeline Smith Jones

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Posted by werock0709

I don't think you can do this. Because when he signs the papers of paternity etc,they may find it a bit odd. The baby can have any first nameyou want, but I believe even if you kept your maiden name, since the fathers name is on the birth certificate, it would be his last name. Then if you wanted both last names, you would have to change his birth certificate.

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Exactly-my Husband's middle name is Rusin because his dad wanted him to have a name he could use as a last name if he ever wanted to change his horrififc last name. But although Rusin is a family last name, it had to be made a middle name to prevent any drama. Govrnemntal offices are funny with things like that and just to keep your life simple, i would keep the naming as simple as possible. Your kid will thank you in the future and so will his/her wife/husband! LMAO

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Posted by werock0709

I don't think you can do this. Because when he signs the papers of paternity etc,they may find it a bit odd. The baby can have any first nameyou want, but I believe even if you kept your maiden name, since the fathers name is on the birth certificate, it would be his last name. Then if you wanted both last names, you would have to change his birth certificate.

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But what about kids that have their names hyphanated? Do you know how that works? That doesn't match the fathers name but I know that is legal since I dated a guy with a hyphanated last name. His parents were married when he was born but his mother didn't change her last name so they hyphanated the children.

I would check with lawyer but Im pretty sure you can hyphenate the kids last name but me personally, I wouldn't bother unless its crucial he keep your name. My concern was the lack of hyphenation if you do hyphenate-the SmithJones things vs Smith-Jones.

I think ur best bate is to ask a lawyer.

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Posted by werock0709

I don't think you can do this. Because when he signs the papers of paternity etc,they may find it a bit odd. The baby can have any first name you want, but I believe even if you kept your maiden name, since the fathers name is on the birth certificate, it would be his last name. Then if you wanted both last names, you would have to change his birth certificate.

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People may find it odd or complicated, but I'm pretty certain LEGALLY you can name your child anything you want. Just like you can legally change your own name to anything you want. I've seen many cases (usually with unmarried parents) where the father is listed on the bc but the child has the mothers maiden name.

And I know in some cultures it's not uncommon to give your child the last name of an ancestor that may not be the maiden or the married name. I've seen it practiced here, which is why I think it's legal.

I also remember the marriage license gave the options for either spouse to change their name to the others, to a hyphenated name, or to any combination of the two names.

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Posted by werock0709

I don't think you can do this. Because when he signs the papers of paternity etc,they may find it a bit odd. The baby can have any first name you want, but I believe even if you kept your maiden name, since the fathers name is on the birth certificate, it would be his last name. Then if you wanted both last names, you would have to change his birth certificate.

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Not true. At least not in Massachusetts (where I gave birth). I was allowed to pick Ella's last name. It did not have to be DH's last name, even though he is the father & was on the birth certificate. I was allowed to give her my maiden last name, since the mother's maiden name is what goes on the birth certificate, not her married name. I remember this moment VERY clearly because the birth certificate person sat and went through it with us. I'm not sure you can create your own last name however. Call up the hospital & ask!

I agonized over this decision b/c I didn't want to change my last name. But honestly.... you might want to reconsider. I did & I'm glad. Now we are a family & we all have the same name. If you have different names, it causes confusion. People will wonder if he/she is actually your kid, which will upset you. Or they may wonder if you DH is the real father, etc.... and the hyphen thing is confusing too. Just think it over.

(Also, little known secret: once you have the baby, you have 10 days to change your mind about his/her name. You get a temp birth certificate & if you want it changed, you have to call & change it. After 10 days, if you still want to change it, you have to go before a judge and change it legally. So if you want to try out the hyphen thing, do it - you can change it)

I know this doesn't answer your question AT ALL... but Steve had a student in his class whose name was.... get this..

BABY RUTH.

W T F ? I think her mom's name was Snickers. totally just kidding about the mom, but the kid's name is TRUE!

Unrelated as well, but I had a student named 'Jesus Christ'
I am pretty sure you can name your child whatever you woudl like.

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Posted by Summer07Bride

Unrelated as well, but I had a student named 'Jesus Christ'
I am pretty sure you can name your child whatever you woudl like.

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My sisters new last name is Christ, and they joke all the time that their first son will be Jesus and daughter will be Ann T. Christ

I know someone who is a huge stoner who's son happened to be born on 4/20....well their sons name is Blaze!! Thats whats on his birth certificate

I hypenated my last name. my madien name and Michael's last name. When we have children they will have Michael's last name.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael