How to Do Change of Name in Nigeria

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Firstly, why do people change their names?



There are many reasons why people change their names in Nigeria. Most

of the time, it could be for marital reasons. For example, a woman who

marries and decides to change from her maiden name to that of her

husband’s. Other reasons include:







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person decides to revert to his/her name before marriage

Correction of name in the bank

Child adoption

When the name on the international passport or identity card is not

the same as the current name of the individual.



As a Nigerian, you have the right to legally change your name as long

as you are above the age of 18, which is the age of maturity in

Nigeria.













However, with the right to change your name comes certain exceptions:





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You are not allowed to change your name legally if you are doing it in

order to escape debt or crime.



You also are not allowed to change your name if you found that the

intentions are to mislead the public or commit a crime.



In order to do a change of name in Nigeria, you must be an adult. A

child (minor) cannot legally change their name without the consent of

his/her parent or guardian. The parent/guardian of the child fills the

form for the change of name.







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There are certain kinds of names that you would not be allowed to use

when you want to have a change of name in Nigeria. Such names include

those that are intimidating, considered offensive, tribalistic or

obscene.



How to do a Change of name in Nigeria



The process to legally change your name in Nigeria is not difficult.

Below are the steps to take in order to legally change your name in

Nigeria.

Swear an affidavit in court



An Affidavit is the name of a document that contains a sworn statement

that is made under oath and affirmed before an authorized officer of

the court.

Publish notice of change of name in a national newspaper



Arrange for your new name to be published in at least one recognized

national newspaper. This is to notify the general public that you have

officially changed your name.







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After this, you would then get your name printed in Nigeria’s

official gazette. This is done by sending an application to the

documentation Department of Publication at the Civil registry. Request

them to publish your new name in Nigeria’s official gazette. This

should cost you about N5000 or more. You should attach the following

documents when forwarding the application for your names to be

published:The signed affidavit (this must not be less than a year old)

A cut of the newspaper advertisement for a change of name(this must

not be less than a year old)

The declaration or advertisement to be printed in the official gazette

Two passport size photographs

Draft for the fees for publishing

A letter of attestation from a responsible person

A public announcement signifying the change of name



In the case of an individual below the age of 18, the name change form

has to be filled up by the parents.

After doing these, ensure you inform relevant individuals and

authorities about your change of name. Ensure your new name is

reflected in your vital documents.



The final step in the process of a change of name is applying for new

government documents to reflect your newly acquired name. You can only

do this after the change of name has been reflected in Nigeria’s

official gazette. Remember that a copy of the official gazette has to

be attached to the application documents for the new documents. Once

you have successfully changed your name in Nigeria, make sure you do

so on all of your personal documents. If you work in a corporate

organization, you should also inform your current employer.



You should inform your employers so they can update their employee

records and other essential records such as tax records. You should

also inform all government agencies you are involved with such as

Water Corporation and the Power Holding Company. If you are a student,

you can also consider informing the authorities at school.

Request for a new national identity card which will reflect your new name

Apply to the Federal Road Safety Commission for a new driver’s license

Request for replacements for business cards, debit cards, cheques, and

other documents where your name is specified. Your change of name

should also be reflected with your registrar of voters and local

government

Get your passport amendment and validation application. Fill the form

and send to the nearest passport agency. Attach your recent passport

and certified documentation of your new names such as an affidavit or

a copy of a certified marriage certificate.



How to reflect your change of name on Nigeria international passport



Another important area where your change of name should reflect is on

your international passport. Follow the steps below:Apply to any

Immigration Service passport office in Nigeria

Give your application in writing to the Controller General of Nigeria

Immigration Service for name changing

Ensure you add reasons for your name change to the application.

Add the affidavit of the change of name you had signed earlier

Attach an identity card currently in use (such as driver’s license)

Pay non-refundable administrative charges online in order to process

your application.



After a few days, the controller General of Nigeria Immigration

Service will approve it.







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application has been approved, submit your current passport

Apply for editing of your Nigerian international passport

Attach 2 recent passport sized photographs

Go online and pay the standard fee

Go for image acquisition, thumbprint and electronic signature

When all these have been done, wait for your new passport with your

new name to be assigned to you



These are the various steps and procedures in changing the name in Nigeria.





















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