Ky. Rev. Stat. § 401.020
Both parents, provided both are living, or one (1) parent if one (1) is deceased, or if no parent is living, the guardian, may have the name of a child under the age of eighteen (18) changed by the District Court, or if the Family Court or Circuit Court has a case before it involving the family, the Family Court of a county with a Family Court, or the Circuit Court of a county without a Family Court of the county in which the child resides. However, if one (1) parent refuses or is unavailable to execute the petition, proper notice of filing the petition shall be served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure. If the child resides on a United States Army post, military reservation, or fort, his or her name may be changed by the District Court, or the Family Court of a county with a Family Court, or the Circuit Court of a county without a Family Court of any county adjacent thereto.
KRS 401.020
Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 259, sec. 27, effective7/15/1980. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 396, effective 1/2/1978. --Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 386, sec. 89. -- Amended 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 13. -- Amended 1964 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective 10/1/1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 3718.