South Africans applying for surname changes after marriage or divorce often find it a complicated and lengthy process. Essentially, there are a number of ways to tackle the process but going at it on your own can often leave you waiting much longer for the changes of a surname to be applied. In this post, we look at how surname changes from marriage or divorce work and the fastest way to have these changes implemented.
Instances where surnames changes are legal in South Africa
South Africans have the freedom to change their names at any given time, but the rules around changing your surname are much more concrete. Essentially, you can only change your surname when you get married, divorced, or adopted.
South Africans who want to change their surnames after getting married can only change their surnames to their spouse. Here, they have the option of taking on a double-barrelled surname, or alternatively, they may choose to keep their own surname. You can read more about these rules on the Department of Home Affairs website.
In the event of a divorce, a surname can only be changed back to a maiden name or previous surname or kept the same as the married surname.
What challenges do South Africans face with surname changes from marriage or divorce?
One of the biggest reported problems is usually from newlyweds needing new documentation based on their new surnames. After marriage, changing their surnames and obtaining an unabridged marriage certificate takes a very long time. Sometimes, they cannot register for certain services or apply for things in their new names.
However, whatever the reason for a surname change in South Africa, the timing taken to update, process, and correct surnames seem to be the root of most problems.
Changing your documentation after surname changes
Without a registered marriage or divorce on the DHA’s system, or the correct documentation (e.g., a divorce decree), it is very difficult to change anything documentation relating to your name. Usually, the DHA BI-196 Application Form for “Authority to assume another surname” is submitted.
1 – Register your marriage or divorce
Register your marriage or your divorce with the Department of Home Affairs. We can assist you in doing this.
2- Amend your ID document/card
The first document to change, which allows you to change almost all others, is your ID document. This used to be a booklet but is now a plastic card with an electronic chip inside it. To obtain this, you will need your new document registration from point 1.
3- Apply changes to your identity documents and financial records
The following documents are most likely:
- Passport. Not necessary to change this unless it has expired. You can fly and travel with your old surname and a copy of your marriage or divorce, plus your new ID card.
- Driver’s license. Same as your passport – you do not need to update this until your license expires. But carry your new ID card together with your driver’s license.
- SARS / Tax details. Inform SARS and make sure your new details are listed.
- Bank accounts, bank cards, and financial institutions. Inform your bank – they will require a copy of your ID card and possibly your marriage certificate or divorce decree.
- Employee details at your place of work. Let your employer know, as they often send employment records to pension and insurance companies.
Need assistance with changing your surname after marriage or divorce?
Apostil.co.za can assist with surname changes in South Africa if they are the cause of marriage or divorce. Contact us today to ask how we can get your marriage or divorce registered quickly to obtain relevant documentation, such as unabridged marriage certificates.
📞 Call us today at +27 21 825 9940 or +27 11 083 9830
📧 Email: clients@apostil.co.za
If I want to change my surname to my fiance surname before marriage how do I do that and what do I need
You cannot change your surname before marriage.
How do I change my Surname back after devorce
Contact us and we can assist with a speedy application and result.
How do I change my Surname back after devorce.
I am leaving for China in a weeks time.
Just contact us on clients@apostil.co.za and we will assist you with the surname change application.
I’ve adopted two children. I have gotten there paperwork back from the department of social development. Home affairs say it’s going to take 3 months or longer for their new birth certificates with surname change. I need it done within 4 weeks as I need to travel out the country urgently now. How quick can you do the birth certificates name change
Hi is it possible to change my surname to my father’s one
It is, but we are not able to assist with this. You will need to approach the DHA on your own.
Good day. I would like to change my surname completely. My first husband committed suicide before we got divorced. I have 1 adult son from first marriage. I got remarried but the marraige lasted only 6 months. My son has two names Andrew Murray and his surname is Badenhorst. We would both like to change our surnames to his second name which is Murray. I do not want to keep any of my previous husbands surnames and my son also do no wish to keep his biological farthers surname. Will this be possible for us to change our surnames to Murray?
Changing your surname is a marriage/divorce question, so yes, we can assist. For your son, it is a surname change (name change) petition, where we cannot assist.
Good day,
I am divorced and recently found out that I am carrying my ex husband’s surname even though, I did not choose to change Mt Maiden surname when we got married, I chose to keep my Maiden surname to avoided having to change documentations. Recently, while trying to register a company, I was unable to because my surname has been changed to ex’s surname. I don’t mind getting a new ID with his surname, so do I go about it since we are now divorced ?
We can help register the divorce and then you can easily get a new ID with the correct surname. Please email us on clients@apostil.co.za.
Hi there, upon trying to register a business i see that my surname is changed to my husbands however i did not want to change my surname after marriage. Is this automatically assumed and do i have to change it back? for the past 3 years i did not know that my surname has been changed
I’m now married and I’d like to obtain a new ID card with my new last name, can i do this with the bank or do i have to go into home affairs. I’m trying to find the quickest way because my drivers license expires soon and i would like get my new ID card before applying for the drivers license
We can assist in changing your surname based on marriage and a marriage registration.
For an ID and Driver’s Licence Renewal, you will need to handle those yourself.