Dominica - Change Your Name (Deed Poll)

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Procedure

• 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.

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Required Documents

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

Office Locations & Contacts

Registry/Supreme Court
Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard, Roseau
Tel: (767) 266 3410
Fax: (767) 440 3753
E-mail: [email protected]
Registry/Supreme Court contacts

Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security
5th Floor, Financial Centre, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau
Tel: (767) 266 3354
E-mail: [email protected]

Government Directory

Eligibility

As Dominica is a common law jurisdiction, you can legally change your surname there through the Deed Poll procedure after at least one year of being its citizen.

Fees

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

Validity

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

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

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.

Required Information

• 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

Need for the Document

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.

Information which might help

Functions of the Chambers of the Attorney General include:

• Timely and accurate drafting of legislations
• Provision of sound legal advice and representation to the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
• The management of the judicial process
• Administration of business, land and civil registration services.

The Chambers of the Attorney General has the following Divisions:

• Companies and Intellectual Property Office
• Director of Public Prosecutions' Office
• Financial Intelligence Unit
• Legal Aid Clinic
• Magistrates' Court/Magistracy
• Registry/Supreme Court

Functions of the Registry include:

• Entering and filing of data received from hospitals and District Registrars
• Processing of State Lands
• Issuing of births, deaths, marriage and non-marriage certificates
• Registration of Records e.g. deeds, agreements
• Registration of Probates
• Registration and delivery of Certificates of Title
• Registration of Churches
• Completion of Criminal and Civil cases
• Registering of persons as citizens of Commonwealth of Dominica (this only applies to those born after November 3, 1978)

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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

External Links

Government of Dominica Web Portal

Registry Division

Chambers of the Attorney General

Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal

Others

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.