Change or Correction of Name in the Birth Certificate

Change or Correction of Name in the Birth Certificate

One of the most fundamental responsibilities of parents is choosing an appropriate and meaningful name for their child. If an individual is dissatisfied with their given name upon reaching the legal age of majority, they may request a name change by persuading a competent judge.

Pursuant to Article 20 of the Civil Registration Act, an application for changing a given name must be submitted to the Civil Registration Organization.

If this administrative process does not result in a decision, or if the request is rejected, the applicant may file a civil lawsuit in court and seek an order compelling the Civil Registration Organization to change the requested name.

Models of Recording Personal Information in the Birth Certificate

Registration of Spouse Information

If the occurrence of marriage or divorce has not been recorded in the birth certificate due to reasons such as replacement of the spouse’s birth certificate, the applicant must refer to one of the Civil Registration offices throughout the country. By submitting the original marriage or divorce certificate along with the original birth certificate, the applicant may request registration of the relevant event.

Method of Registering Children’s Information

If the parents’ details are recorded in the child’s birth certificate, but due to reasons such as replacement of the parents’ birth certificates, the names of the children or one of them are not recorded, it is possible to correct this omission. In such cases, the parents may refer to the Civil Registration offices and, by presenting the original birth certificates of both the parents and the children, request registration of the relevant names.

Correction of Errors in Civil Status Records

Where a request is made to correct, complete, or remove discrepancies in the civil status information recorded in a birth certificate, the Civil Registration offices are prepared to receive such applications. The necessary measures will then be taken, as appropriate, through the Civil Registration office that issued the birth certificate.

Legal Provisions Related to Birth Certificate Matters

Pursuant to Article 36 of the Civil Registration Act, individuals who reach the age of fifteen must possess a birth certificate bearing a photograph affixed in the same year. The following persons are entitled to refer to Civil Registration offices for affixing a photograph to the birth certificate:

• Individuals who are fifteen years of age or older.
• Individuals under fifteen years of age who hold a certificate of legal maturity.
• The father or paternal grandfather may do so by presenting their own birth certificate for individuals aged 15 to 18 years.
• The legal guardian of minors or legally incapacitated persons, upon presentation of valid documentation.

Note: If the photograph affixed to a birth certificate becomes detached or lost for any reason, it is not possible to reattach a new photograph. In such cases, the birth certificate must be replaced.

The Supreme Council of Civil Registration is responsible for determining prohibited names and notifying the relevant organization of examples thereof.

Names Eligible for Change

Pursuant to Article 20 of the Civil Registration Act and its notes, the following names are prohibited, and their holders may apply for a name change subject to the prescribed conditions:

• Names that offend Islamic sanctities.
• Compound names that are not recognized as a single name in common usage.
• Titles, whether civil or military, or combined titles such as mayor or doctor.
• Honorifics, whether simple or compound, such as Khan.
• Obscene or offensive names.
• Names that are inconsistent with human dignity or denote reprehensible characteristics, such as animal names with negative connotations.
• Names that conflict with prevailing culture, social customs, or religious sanctities.
• Humiliating names or names whose literal meaning is socially unacceptable.
• Names that do not correspond to the individual’s gender.

A name change may be permitted in the following cases:

• Removal of unnecessary or redundant words.
• Correction of spelling errors.
• Identity of the child’s name with that of parents or siblings within the same family.
• Conversion to Islam, as confirmed by competent authorities.
• Names corresponding to days of the week.
• Gender reassignment, where a final court judgment has been issued.
• Arabic names where the individual requests conversion to a Persian form, such as changing Rahman to Rahman.

Documents Required for a Name Change

• Original birth certificate and two copies thereof.
• Completion and submission of the name change application form.
• Payment of the applicable fees.

All Civil Registration offices throughout the country are prepared to receive the above documents for name changes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing or Correcting a Name in the Birth Certificate