Follow these simple steps to change your name after marriage in Nigeria.
So, you have done your traditional wedding, the white wedding, and gotten registered at the marriage registry, and now you have officially gone from Miss to Mrs., but it doesn’t end there.
As a married woman, you are required to change your name on your documents legally and there is a process to it.
Here is how to change your name after marriage and the steps to follow.
First step
- The first step is to swear an affidavit in court stating your intention to change your name. An affidavit is a technical term for a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrate or officer of the court.
The affidavit should state your father’s name, place of residence, present name, and new name.
All you need to do now is go to the high court and swear an affidavit saying you have changed from your old name and wish to be known by your new name, and you show your affidavit anywhere you want to present any documentation in your old name.
READ: 6 Reasons Why You Should Consider Having A Court Wedding
Second step
- The second step is to contact the offices of any leading newspaper in your locality and advertise the change of your name, clearly indicating your present name, your husband’s name, your address, and your new name.
Get your new name printed in the Official Gazette. Send an application to the documentation Department of Publication, Civil Registry, requesting that they publish the above advertisement for a change of your name.
Third step
Ensure you change your name on all of your documents, and inform your employers so they can update their employee records (and any tax records). You must attach a copy of the newspaper when applying for other government documents (passport, national identification card, etc.).
