NC H578

Removes statutory language requiring automatic surname changes to match the father's name when a child is legitimated, aligning with the 1981 North Carolina Court of Appeals decision in Jones v. McDowell.

Modifies G.S. 49-12.1 to require court determination that a surname change is in the best interests of the child before changing the child's surname during legitimation.

Amends G.S. 49-13 to allow surname changes only when parents agree and request the change or the court orders a change after determining it serves the child's best interests.

Updates G.S. 130A-118 to clarify that birth certificates may reflect surname changes during legitimation under G.S. 49-10 or G.S. 49-12.1 when parents agree or the court orders the change in the child's best interests.

Effective upon enactment and applies to all birth certificates issued on or after the effective date; ratified June 17, 2019 and approved June 21, 2019.