Dear Aus Nthabi,
What is the legal process of changing a surname?
I would like to change from my mother’s maiden surname and use my biological father’s surname. – Confused
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Aus Nthabi responds
The use of surnames is regulated by the Births and Deaths Registration Act and in terms of this Act, a person may only use the surname that is recorded in the national registry.
To change the surname, you will have to apply at Home Affairs, using the prescribed form, and give good reasons why the surname should be changed.
If the application becomes successful, the new surname will be published in the government gazette and made public.
Nthabiseng Monareng holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Nthabi has more than 10 years’ experience in the legal field, specialising in family law. She’s written books on family law and is a family mediator.
