Any person, who may have an interest, can bring an action before a competent court in Malta for (a) the correction of any registered Civil Status Act, (b) the legitimation per subsequens matrimonium of a person born out of wedlock and (c) the acknowledgement of the paternity of a person born out of wedlock.

Legitimation per subsequens matrimonium and correction of names by means of a prescribed application form indicated in the Civil Code may also be effected by applying to the Director, Public Registry.

Moreover, nullities and divorces of marriage and civil unions obtained in Malta are registered at the Public Registry together with divorces and nullities of marriage and civil unions obtained abroad (issued by a competent court) may be registered at the Public Registry after ascertaining that they conform to the relative requisites of Maltese Law. All changes emanating from the above instances are recorded in the Annotations column of the relative Civil Status Act.

The Sections annotate and correct in the Registry Files (which are a copy of the original act) and IT program, following a court sentence to this effect. The annotation or correction may be included in the birth, marriage, civil union or death certificates that are referred to as the Acts of Civil Status. This annotation may lead to the correction of the original certificate.

The Annotations Section is also responsible for the registration of local adoptions, foreign divorces, annulments of marriages and civil unions, and public deeds. It is entrusted also with the acknowledgments and legitimation of children.

As regards women who have completed procedures for Legal Separation, this section annotates the change to their maiden surname.

• Obtain all necessary documents in applying for the change of name.
• Submit your application along with all other requirements.
• Once the new name or surname is accepted, you may proceed in registering your new name.

• Certificate of Criminal Record
• Request Addressed to the Minister of Justice
• Application addressed to the Registrar
• Identity Card (original and photocopy)

Public Registry Contact Information

Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government

Typically, you may legally change your name to whatever name you'd like. There are some exceptions, though:

• You can't change your name just to escape debt liability or to hide from criminal liability.
• You can't change your name in order to commit a crime.
• You can't change your name with the intention to mislead. This usually involves taking the name of a famous person. Courts typically do not allow this, unless you have a convincing reason that is not related to the famous person or the use of his or her name.
• You can't choose a confusing name one that includes numerals or punctuation. However, some courts have permitted people to spell out the numbers, for example "Seven" instead of "7".
• You can't choose a name that would intimidate, offend, or be considered obscene.
• You can't choose a racial slur.

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Application by a person for a correction of name in terms of Art 253 (2A) of the Civil Code (Cap 16)

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

People choose to change their name for a variety of reasons. Maybe you just want to change the spelling of your name, you don't like the name your parents gave you, you want to get rid of your middle name, you want to remove any family associations, or maybe you just want a change. You can legally change your first name, middle name or surname, or any combination of those.

Annotations and Adjustments Section

• Your name as listed on birth certificate or immigration or citizenship documents.
• The full name you are applying to change to (if you are changing your name).
• Date and place of birth
• Marital status and details
• Places of residence for last three months
• Address for Correspondence

If you are using, or wish to use, a name other than your registered name, there is no legal requirement that you formally change your name. It is, however, recommended that you change your name officially, both for identification and as evidence of your name change.

Name change generally refers to the legal act by a person of adopting a name different from their name at birth, marriage or adoption. The procedures and ease of a name change vary between jurisdictions.

The most important thing to do to legally change your name is to start using your new name. Introduce yourself using your new name, fill out forms and applications under your new name, tell all of your family and friends to only refer to you using your new name, and tell your school and/or employer of your new name.

You may want to change your name because:

• You have just gotten married
• You have divorced
• You just want a change
• In case of adoption

Government of Malta

Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government

A to Z List of All Websites

Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security

Public Registry

Notary to Government

How you should go about changing your name will depend upon which category you fit into. Changing your name after marriage or divorce is quite a simple process, while changing your name 'just because' requires a little more effort, but it is still quite straight forward and a lot easier than it used to be.

To change your name, submit a petition to your local Superior Court that details the reasons you'd like to change your name. After the court approves your request, you'll then need to update your Social Security card, driver's license and passport.