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Adoption of Children Act 1994
48Names of adopted child
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48 Names of adopted child
(1) On the making of an order for the adoption of a child, the surname
of the child shall be:
(a) where there are 2 adoptive parents who have the same
surname, that surname;
(b) where there is one adoptive parent, the surname of that
adoptive parent; or
(c) where there are 2 adoptive parents who have different
surnames, one of those surnames,
that surname having been specified in the application for the order
for the adoption as the proposed surname of the child and
approved by the Court, or such other surname as the Court
approves in the adoption order.
(2) On the making of an order for the adoption of a child the forename
or forenames of the child shall be such name or names as the
Court, in the adoption order, approves on the application of the
adoptive parent or parents.
(3) The Court shall not approve a name as a surname or forename of a
child under this section unless it is satisfied that, as far as
practicable, the wishes and feelings of the child have been
ascertained and due consideration given to them, having regard to
the age and understanding of the child.
Part 4 Recognition of adoptions
Adoption of Children Act 1994 27
(4) Nothing in this section prevents the changing of any name of a child
in accordance with a law in force in the Territory after the making of
an order for the adoption of the child.
Part 4 Recognition of adoptions