Trinidad and Tobago - Change Your Name (Deed Poll)

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Procedure

Changing your name by deed poll

A "change of name deed poll" is simply a document that contains the following three declarations:

• I am abandoning my previous name.
• I will use my new name at all times.
• I require all persons to address me by my new name only.

You must sign and date this declaration in both your old and your new name. Your new name must contain both a forename and a surname and be pronounceable, as well complying with other common sense restrictions specified by the Office. Two witnesses, who aren't related to you, must also sign your deed poll and give their name, occupations and addresses.

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Required Documents

• Birth certificate
• New name
• Proof of address
• Documentary evidence to support change to record, e. g. affidavit, baptismal certificate, immunization card, Form 19.
• Document requiring correction.
• Other relevant documents requested by Clerk IV.

Office Locations & Contacts

Civil Registry,
Registrar General's Department,
Registration House,72-74 South Quay (next to Courts),
Port of Spain or Caroline Building No. 2, # 11
Hamilton Street, Scarborough, Tobago.
Registrar General's Department Contact Information
District Offices Locations

Ministry of the Attorney General
Cabildo Chambers
23-27 St. Vincent Street,
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 868-623-7010
Fax: 868-624-1986
Email: [email protected]

Eligibility

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.

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

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

Approximately 2-3 months

Related Videos

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Instructions

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.

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

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

To change your name on all official documents, you just need to present the Deed Poll along with your birth certificate and apply for your new documents.

Registered persons who change their names, primarily by marriage or Deed Poll, should notify their Registration Officer, so that the Commissions records can be updated and a new I.D card bearing the registrants new name issued. The ID card bearing the name which has been changed is required to be surrendered.

External Links

Registrar General's Department

Government Ministries

Trinidad and Tobago Government Portal

The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago

Ministry of the Attorney General

Ministry of Justice

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.