Rwanda - Apply for Change of Person Name

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Procedure

The requirements:

• Submit a letter requesting changing name and addressed to the Minister of Justice/Attorney General
• Specify the reasons why you need to change name
• Submit a criminal record

Click here to send your request

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Required Documents

• Motivation letter addressed to the Minister of Justice/Attorney General
• Proofs motivating the request
• Certificate of birth

Click here to upload the documents

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Justice
Tel: +250 252 586398, +250 252 586561
Fax: +250 252 586509
P.O. Box: 160, Kigali-Rwanda
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.minijust.gov.rw
Local Government Contacts
Local Government Websites

Eligibility

Anybody not satisfied / happy with his or her names and has justified reasons for that, has the right to change his/her names.

Fees

The fee for the change of person of person name in Rwanda is Rwf 600.

Validity

It is valid until the time of death

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The maximum processing period for the change of a person names in Rwanda is three month.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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Instructions

• 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.

Required Information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Medical examination report
• Sex
• Marital status
• Pass port number (if applicable)
• National identity card number
• Letter from the local authorities
• Letter from the court
• Age
• Domicile or residence
• Names of parent
• Information about your criminal offenses (if any)
• Information about your change name
• Occupation
• Citizenship
• Two colored passport photograph with a with background

Need for the Document

Every person born in or a national of Rwanda has the right to change his or her own name, and also has a right to new birth certificate , nationality card , new drivers licenses, new passport with the new name on it .

Information which might help

Registration or application forms are available in two (2) languages, and therefore you are advised to fill the form in the language you understand best in order to avoid errors

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.

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

Ministry of Justice

Changing of Names

Official Website of the Government of Rwanda

Government Ministries

Judiciary

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.