How to change your name if you’re Spanish?
Posted: 09 June 2009 06:22 PM  
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Hi - my wife is Spanish and she wants to take my name now we are married.
Does anyone know if this is possible?
The embassy said no!
Does Spain have a “deed poll” system or anything similar?
Thanks!

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Posted: 10 June 2009 12:19 AM   [ # 1 ]  
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What I did was go to my local civil registry office and tell them what I wanted to do. They then asked me to write a submission which would be given to a judge who would then decide if I could legally change my name or not. I had to explain that nobody else would be affected by the change. Mine was refused with no chance of appeal and no reason was given.
But before your wife takes this step, think of some of the consequences. Any legal documents she has signed up to now would all have to be legally changed- bank accounts, escrituras, wills etc.

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Posted: 10 June 2009 01:08 AM   [ # 2 ]  
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She has dual nationality so her US passport already has my name and all legal documents have her married name.
It is just a huge hassle for travelling on her EU passport - that is why she wants to change it.

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Posted: 10 June 2009 02:52 AM   [ # 3 ]  
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As far as I know, you can?t just change your name by deed poll to anything you want here in Spain. It needs a judge?s ruling so you?d have to think of a good reason and she would still be required to have two surnames and keep in mind how it would affect your future children?s names if they have Spanish nationality. But anyway, try asking at a civil registry office and see what they say. I hope she has better luck than I had.

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