Changing back to maiden surname

06 April 2020 10770

“My husband and I recently finalised our divorce. How do I go about changing my surname back to my maiden name?”

 
Although no couple gets married with divorce in mind, the statistics indicate that more than four out of every 10 marriages in South Africa end in divorce before couples have been married for a decade. To be precise, 44,4% of couples will be divorced before they have celebrated their 10 year anniversary. In light of these circumstances, it is best to equip oneself with knowledge surrounding the practicalities and effects of marriage. One issue that many women are confronted with is the procedure to be followed in order to change their surname back to their maiden name after the finalisation of the divorce.

 

The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992 makes provision for a woman to assume her husband’s surname, revert to her maiden name or – since 1997 – to join her surname with her husband’s to create a double-barrelled surname. The application must be done in person by making an attendance at the applicant’s nearest Home Affairs office. Although there is no application per se, the below procedure must be followed in order to correctly reflect the change in the National Population Register.

 

At Home Affairs, Form BI-196 (for alteration of surname of majors) and Form BI-9 (for alteration of identity document) must be completed. The applicant will also be required to submit the following: (1) two passport photographs (for a new identity document to be issued), (2) the applicant’s identity document with current name and surname – this identity document will be surrendered to Home Affairs, and (3) sufficient written reasons for the change in surname, which would state that the applicant is now divorced and would like to revert to her maiden name. In addition to Form BI-196, Form BI-9 and the three supporting documents, a fee of R325.00 is payable at Home Affairs.

 

Once submitted, the process will take approximately three to four months to finalise, because the amendment in the applicant’s surname must be published in the Government Gazette – the fee includes the price of this advertisement. Once finalised, the applicant will receive her new identity book displaying her maiden name.
Tags: Divorce
Share: