Case. The parents of the child to be baptized are unmarried. However, on the birth certificate, the child used the father’s surname. What surname should the child use on the baptismal certificate.

The wishes of the parents will always prevail regarding the child’s full Christian name. We suggest that the parents of the child discuss this matter between themselves. RA 9255 allows illegitimate children to use the surname of their father "if their filiation has been expressly recognized by the father through the record of birth appearing in the civil register, or when an admission in a public document or private handwritten instrument is made by the father." Otherwise, the mother's surname is used.

If a baptized child follows the mother’s surname, does the child have to use the mother’s middle name as well?

If the mother's surname is used, there is no need for a middle name.