What are procedures for change of family names and given names for people under 14 in Vietnam?

What are procedures for change of family names and given names for people under 14 in Vietnam? - image from internet

The procedures for change of family names and given names for people under 14 in Vietnam is carried out as follows:

1. Legal basis:

- Law on Civil Status in 2014;

- Decree 123/2015/ND-CP;

- Civil Code in 2015;

- Circular 85/2019/TT-BTC.

2. Conditions:

The change of name of an individual can only be carried out based on the regulations under Article 27 and Article 28 of the Civil Code in 2015, specifically:

Basis for changing family names:

a) Changing the family name of a natural child from biological father’s to biological mother's or vice versa;

b) Changing the family name of an adopted child from biological father’s or mother’s to adoptive father's or mother’s at the request of the adoptive parents;

c) If a person ceases to be an adopted child and such person or his/her biological father or mother request to reclaim the family name which is given by the biological father or mother;

d) Changing the family name of a person whose biological parents have been identified upon the request on that father or mother or such person;

dd) Changing the family name of a lost person who has discovered the origin of his/her bloodline;

e) Changing the family name of a person to his/her spouse’s in the marriage and family relations involving foreign elements in accordance with law of the country in which the foreign spouse is a citizen or retrieves his/her family name before the change;

g) Changing the family names of children upon the change of family names of their father’s or mother’s;

h) Other cases prescribed in by law on civil status affairs.

Basis for changing given names:

a) Where it is so requested by the person who has a given name which causes confusion or has an adverse effect on his/her feelings or on his/her honor, legitimate rights and interests;

c) Where the adoptive father or mother of the person wishes to change the given name of their adopted child; of if a person ceases to be an adopted child and such person or his/her biological father or mother request to reclaim the given name which is given by the biological father or mother;

d) Changing the given name of a person whose biological parents have been identified upon the request on that father or mother or such person;

dd) Changing the given name of a lost person who has discovered the origin of his/her bloodline;

dd) Change the given name of a person to his/her spouse’s in the marriage and family relations involving foreign elements in accordance with law of the country in which the foreign spouse is a citizen retrieves his/her family name before the change;

e) Changing of given name of a person whose gender identity is re-determined or a transgender person;

g) Other cases prescribed in by law on civil status affairs.

- The changing of the given name of a person who is nine years of age or older shall be subject to the consent of such person.

- The changing of a given name shall not change or terminate the civil rights and obligations which were established in the former given name.

3. Application:  The person requesting to register the change or correction of civil status must submit:

- A declaration form according to the prescribed template.

- Relevant documents to the civil status registration authority, such as: The original birth certificate of the person wishing to change; supporting documents explaining the reasons for the change, etc.

4. Submission method: Submit the application directly.

5. Resolving authority: The People's Committee at the commune where the previous civil status registration was made or the place of residence of the individual.

6. Processing time: Within a period of 03 working days from the date of receiving all required documents as prescribed. In case verification is required, the deadline may be extended by no more than 03 working days.

7. Fee: Determined by the provincial People's Council, based on specific conditions and the local situation.

Above are procedures for change of family names and given names for people under 14 in Vietnam.

Best regards!