Are you longing to learn how to apply for a change of name in Nigeria, costs, and documents? This article is an amazing guide for you.
It is common to see in various parts of the world, series of ceremonies once a child is born. In these ceremonies, family members, friends, neighbors, and other people gather to celebrate the newborn. The ceremonies are based on their tradition, culture, or even religious beliefs that people gather to celebrate.
A particular ceremony is paramount in different parts of the world, which is the naming ceremony of the child.
Most times, the name that is been given to a child is based on traditional, cultural, personal, or even religious reasons. Some parents name their children after a prominent person in their family or they might name a child because of what transpired during the birth of the child.
However, whatever reason inspired the naming of the child, the child still has the right to change his or her name, if the child wishes. Nevertheless, the child must grow to a particular age.
In Nigeria, the child must have grown to at least eighteen, (18), years of age to be qualified to apply for a change of name. As long as the reason, is not for illegal purposes and the individual is up to 18 years, then the application can be granted.
In this article, you will be guided on the procedures, costs, documents, and all that is needed for a change of name in Nigeria.
Reasons People Apply For Change Of Name
- Personal Reasons: An individual might apply because he or she is not okay with the name or the meaning of the name. A person’s religion or profession might also propel the person to apply.
- Marriage: Most times in Nigeria, if a woman gets married, she is required to change her surname to her husband’s surname. Moreover, in some cases, the woman adds her husband’s surname with her other names.
- Nationality Change: A person who bears a native name and changes his or her nationality might also lead to a change of name.
- Divorce: This is also prevalent with women because, after a divorce, they might want to change their name back to their maiden name.
- Adoption: When a child is adopted from an orphanage or any governmental organization, the name of the child must be changed to his or her adopted parent’s name.
Requirement For A Change Of Name In Nigeria For Married Woman
In Nigeria, for a change of name to be considered valid, due legal processes must be adhered to. A married woman is required to give and provide the following documents listed below:
- Name, as it is arranged on your birth certificate, national identity card, or international passport.
- The new name you want to change to.
- Place and date of birth.
- Your marital status and details of your husband.
- Residential address for the last three months.
- Correspondence or parent’s address.
Note: For your change of name to be successful, the new change of name must be reflected on all your vital documents and biodata, such as bank details, educational records, international passports, national identity card, and others.
Requirements And Documents For Change Of Name
- An application letter that is addressed to the Chief Registrar of a High Court.
- Affidavit of change of name.
- Passport photographs.
- Deed of change of name, (it is a formal statement that shows that a person has a name that has been changed).
- Photocopy of marriage certificate, for those that are married.
- Newspaper publication of change of name.
Procedure
In Nigeria, the change of name procedure may last for about 5 – 21 working days. Though, it changes sometimes, depending on the state you are applying from.
- Firstly, go to the Registry of a High Court within your area and swear an affidavit of change of name, (the affidavit is a statutory document that tells your purpose for letting go of your old name).
- Then arrange for your new name to be advertised on a well-known National Daily, such as Punch or Guardian newspapers.
- Apply to the Department of Publication, Civil Registry demanding them to publish the advert of your new name and attach the paper in which your name was advertised.
- The signed affidavit should be less than 12 months old.
- The newspaper page which you attached should also be less than 12 months old.
- The typed declaration/advertisement you request to be printed in the official gazette.
- Two current passport-size photographs.
- Ask for the publishing fees, and added copies if possible.
- A letter from a law-abiding citizen.
- A handwritten public announcement.
- For a child who is less than 18 years, the change of name form should be filled for them by their parents.
Note: the above procedure is vital because the new government documents will only be released to the individual after his or her name has been successful published by the Nigeria gazette.
Things To Do After A Change Of Name
- Apply for new government documents such as national identity card, voter’s card, driver’s license, and others, that reflect your name.
- Apply for new debit cards, business cards, checkbooks, and any other document that has your former name on it.
- Inform your former employers, business partners, teachers, institutes, and demand for a change of name in related documents.
- Contact utility bodies such as water board, PHCN, and others about your new name.
- Make sure that your new name is reflected in all your documents.
Costs
In Nigeria, the main cost for the change of name is about N5,000 and above. Newspaper advertisement mostly takes the highest cost.
Some Offices To Contact
- Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs Block ‘F’ Old Secretariat, Area I, Garki, Abuja P.M.B. 0016, Garki Post Office. Telephone contact: 09-2341602, 2341525, 2341935, 2341936
- National Population Commission of Nigeria, No. 1 Masaka Close Off Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, Nigeria. Telephone contact: +234 (0)9 234 3173.
- National Civil Registration, Sokode Crescent, by Michael Okpara Street, Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja. Telephone contact: 09-5230667-9.
- Federal Ministry of Justice New Federal Secretariat Complex, 10th Floor, Federal Secretariat, Wing lB (1001-1099), Block One, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja. Telephone contact: 09-5235194.
Now, that you have known what is involved with name changing, make sure that your mind has been made up before you apply for a change of name.
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