Zambia - Change Your Name (Deed Poll)

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Procedure

When any registered person changes his name or names, he shall forthwith inform the registrar and shall at the same time-

• Change of name or names
  • deliver to the registrar a statutory declaration made before a Commissioner for Oaths stating that he absolutely renounces the use of his former name or names and assumes a new name or names, details of which shall be included in such statutory declaration, and the registrar shall retain such statutory declaration;
  • surrender to the registrar his national registration card;
  • complete Form 4 set out in the Second Schedule or give the registrar such information as the registrar may require to complete the said Form 4 on his behalf in the new name or names, and he shall make and sign the declaration thereon, but if he is unable to write or is able only to print his name, he shall affix his right thumbprint.
• The registrar shall forward the said Form 4 duly completed, together with the statutory declaration and the national registration card, to the Chief Registrar.
• On receipt of the said Form 4, the Chief Registrar shall amend the register in such manner as he may deem fit.
• The Chief Registrar shall cancel the national registration card forwarded to him by the registrar as aforesaid and shall cause the registered person to be issued with a new national registration card upon payment of the appropriate fee.
• The Chief Registrar shall cause to be kept and maintained a separate register of all registered persons who change their names and there shall be recorded in such separate register such particulars as the Chief Registrar may deem fit.

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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

Zambia Civil Status and Registration Office
Zambia Registrar General of Births, Deaths & Marriages
Registrar General of Births, Deaths & Marriages
P.O. Box 32311;
LUSAKA
Zambia
Phone: (00260-211) 228197
Fax: (00260-211) 221128

Registrar of High Court
P.O. Box 50067,
Lusaka, Zambia

Registrar of High Court
P.O. Box 70004
Ndola, Zambia

Registrar of High Court
P.O. Box 60110
Livingstone, Zambia

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

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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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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

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

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

The Government of The Republic of Zambia

All Government Ministries

Local Authorities

Others

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.

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.