18
Jan

Anyone in the Dominican Republic can request a name change, the same logic applies to making an addition to existing names. This is regulated by Law No. 659 from July 17th, 1944 on Civil Status Acts, which states the following:

1. Requirements;
2. Steps;
3. Costs.

Is changing a name simple?

We will not say that the process is quick or easy, only that it is achievable. Additionally, if you have proper legal counseling, it is likely that the outcome will be positive.

Changes of Civil Registry records in the Dominican Republic are not quick or easy. The Central Electoral Board (JCE, for its acronym in Spanish) / Registry of Persons, is one of the agencies that receive the most amount of requests from the public. This volume of requests could be seen as one of the main reasons behind the hurdles we usually face when submitting a request with that office.

Reasons to pursue a change of name:

There are several reasons why people may decide to Change their name in the Dominican Republic. Some of these reasons are:

1. The individual does not like their name or names (adults).
2. The parents did not agree on a name or did not like the one they assigned (minors).
3. The name of the individual does not match their sexual orientation.

Note: It is possible to change your name, but it is not possible to legally change your gender in the Dominican Republic as of now.

However, if an individual is given a commonly male name by their parents, e.g., “Joseph”, they can change their name to “Carla” or vice versa.

4. Among others.

If your case involves one of these scenarios, or you have any other particular reason to change your name, we will give you the steps you would need to follow to achieve just that.

There are different paths to amend or change a name. The path you select depends on the type of change you are interested in:

1. If you simply need to change a letter of your name, for instance, your name is “Karen” but you would like to change it to “Caren”.

You can opt for an Administrative Amendment, which has shorter processing times, is less expensive and is more straightforward. As opposed to the Change of Name process, which is more complex.

2. If multiple letters of your name are wrong, you can make a Judicial Correction through the Superior Electoral Court.

However, if you want a literal change of name, you would have to follow what is established by Law No. 659, from July 17th, 1944, on Civil Status Acts. This is processed by the Executive Branch, through the JCE, which is potentially the reason why it takes as long as it does to obtain a decree authorizing the change. However, the law establishes sixty (60) days for the process.

Initial Phase (1st phase) Steps, Costs and Requirements:

1. Submittal of change of name request via the Central Electoral Board to the Executive Branch along with the following:
2. Certification of Civil Registry (verification of Birth Certificate) from the Central Electoral Board (only for individuals over the age of 18).
3. Birth certificate (Original and validated).
4. Birth or death certificate of the applicant’s parents.
5. Photocopy of applicant’s Dominican ID (known in Spanish as cédula).
6. Power of representation from the interested party, authorizing the attorney to proceed with the change of name. This document needs to be duly legalized in the office of the attorney general (this requirement only applies if the process is being done by an attorney).
7. In the case of underage individuals, the power of representation needs to be signed by the individual’s parents.
8. A copy of all the documents that will be submitted.
9. 1,500.00 DOP, to be paid at the time of submittal.

The second phase (2nd Phase) begins after obtaining the Decree. The steps, costs and requirements are the following:

1. An instance addressed to the Legal Consultancy office of the Executive Branch, requesting to have the President issue a decree for the change of name.
2. Copy of the Authorization issued by the Executive Branch.
3. Birth certificate (original and validated).
4. Copy of the Identity and Electoral Card (known in Spanish as Cédula) of the applicant.
5. The original bailiff’s Acts drafted as a notification of the Change of Name. This document needs to be duly registered with the City Council and certified by the ministerial council testifying that the 60-day deadline has been honored.
6. An original issue of the newspaper in which the notice was published (duly certified).
7. Two copies of all the documents that are being submitted.
8. 1,500.00 DOP to be paid at the time of submittal.

In our law firm Morillo Suriel Abogados – Attorneys at Law, we have a division specialized in Civil Law  and within it, a unit designated to work specifically with  Name Changes and amendments of certificates. Through this unit, we can assist you with any inquiry or request regarding name changes or any other concern in the matter. We could assist you, regardless of where in the world you might be located, through our online service.