For whatever reason, an individual may choose to change his or her name. This is always the direct consequence of marriage, divorce, adoption, or the extinction of a person’s name, though some people do it for professional purposes. There is no problem with changing a name if the explanation seems reasonable. We’ve covered all you need to know about the requirements, eligibility, and how to change your name in Nigeria in this article.
The most common reason for changing one’s name is due to marital problems. Other causes could include religious concerns, business transactions, or personal matters. The following are some of the instances why you might need the document:
Changes in nationality and religious connotations are among the other factors.
To begin the procedure of switching your name, you must initially satisfy the basic qualifications and requirements. The following are the requirements for legally changing your name in Nigeria:
In additament to the aforementioned conditions, anyone wishing to change their name would have to be clear in all financial institutions, not be bankrupt, and not have any financial liabilities against them.
Keep these documents on side before applying for a change of name in Nigeria, since they must be included when filing your application:
The processes for changing your name should be followed to ensure a smooth transition.
The first step is to swear an Affidavit of Change of Name, often called as Deed Pool. This can be done by walking to a nearby High Court and going to the Registry department to complete the task.
Your affidavit should be prepared in your own words and state that you have changed your name. The affidavit should include the grounds for your name change, as it will be used to document your old name in the future.
The subsequent procedure is to inform the public that you will no more be using your previous name and will be switching to a new one. This can be accomplished by publishing your new name in a well-known daily publication such as The Nation, Guardian, or Punch. You should double-check that your important documents match your new name.
You should submit an application to the Civil Registry’s paperwork Department of Publication, requesting that your new name be printed in Nigeria’s official gazette. A fee of N5000 or more is usually charged for this. Print a copy of the page indicating your altered name once it appears in the gazette.
When your new name has been published in the Official Nigerian Gazette, you will need to apply for new official documents that reflect your new name. A copy of the Official Gazette showing the name should be attached to your application.
It can take anywhere from 5 to 21 working days to apply for and have your name changed in most situations. To expedite the procedure, go to the National Civil Registration Office, which is located at Sokode Crescent and Michael Okpara Street in Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja, and file the application among other registrations.
In Nigeria, the expense of newspaper publication for a change of name involves a non-refundable fee of ₦5,000, which is really the sum charged for the application’s execution. The Guardian, Punch, Tribune, and Sun publications are all subject to this charge.
I assume you’re now familiar with how to change your name in Nigeria. The processes and procedures we’ve laid down here are straightforward to follow and carry out.
