PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Every now and then people make changes to their birth-given name for several reasons. However, such changes if not done properly following the right procedure, can cause a variety of problems for such a user.

The Nigerian Supreme Court, in a recent judgement it delivered in the case of P.D.P & ORS v. BIOBARAKUMA DEGI- EREMIENYO & ORS outlined the procedures an applicant for change of name must follow for such a change to be valid and legal in Nigeria:

The following are the steps as outlined by the Supreme Court:

1) Swear to an affidavit under oath in any of the High Courts in Nigeria, stating the reasons for the change of name.

2) Publication of the new name in at least one recognized national newspaper, notifying the public of the new name.

3) Thereafter, the applicant is to execute a Deed Poll, attaching an official certificate bearing the old name.

4) Lodge same at Nigerian Civil Registry for publication in the official gazette. This is to regularize the purported change of name and to prevent eventualities that may surface to deprive one of taking benefit of rights accruing to him in his name.

5) Pay the Applicable fee

Note that, for the process to be accepted for completion, it must be accompanied by the following:??

(a) The duly executed Deed poll of change of name ;

(b)The old name of the applicant as listed on an acceptable birth certificate or any valid means of identification;

(c) The New name as it will appear in full for change;

(d) The Deposed Affidavit for change of name;

(e) A newspaper advertising the change of name;

(f) Passport photograph of the applicant;

(g) If the purpose of the change of name, is as a result of marriage, then a Photocopy of the marriage certificate;

Whatever the reason for the change of name, the gazetted copy shall be evidence of the completion of these steps.

Note: The names of Nigerian citizens are kept as part of the official records of Nigeria, and where changes are made in the registered names, such changes shall, for the purpose of rectifying the records, be brought to the knowledge of the Nigerian Civil Registry. In Nigeria, parents and/or guardians are required to register the birth of every child born in Nigeria with the Registrar of Births and Deaths within the area in which the child was born by entering in a register kept for that area such particulars concerning the birth as may be prescribed. See Section 7 of Births, Death, Etc (Compulsory Registration) Act, 1992,