Procedures for changing the family name and given name of a person aged 14 or older in Vietnam

1. Legal Basis:

- Civil Status Law 2014;

- Decree 123/2015/ND-CP;

- Civil Code 2015;

- Circular 85/2019/TT-BTC.

2. Conditions for change of family name and given name of a Vietnamese citizen:

The change of family name and given name of a Vietnamese citizen shall only be carried out based on the grounds stipulated in Articles 27 and 28 of the Civil Code 2015. To be specific:

Grounds for changing the family name:

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

- 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;

- 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;

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

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

- 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;

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

- Other cases prescribed in by law on civil status affairs.

Grounds for changing given name:

- 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;

- 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;

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

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

- 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;

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

- Other cases prescribed in by law on civil status affairs.

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

+ For persons aged between 14 and under 18, the consent of both parents is required and should be clearly expressed in the application form;

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

3. Application for change of family name and given name of a Vietnamese citizen:

The applicant shall submit:

- A declaration form according to the prescribed form;

- Relevant documents to the civil status registration authority such as the original birth certificate of the applicant and documents proving the reasons for the change...

4. Submission Method: In person

5. Processing authority: The People’s Committee at the district level where the civil status was previously registered or where the individual resides.

6. Time limit for processing: Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the complete application as stipulated. In cases where verification is necessary, the time limit may be extended by no more than 03 working days.

7. Fees: determined by the Provincial People's Council, depending on the specific conditions and circumstances of the locality.

The above outlines the procedures for changing family name and given name for individuals aged 14 and older in Vietnam.

Regards!