The Ministry of Justice has announced the procedures and basic requirements regarding the change of name, patronymic, and surname.
elchi reports that the ministry stated that Azerbaijani citizens can apply to change their name, patronymic, and surname after reaching the age of 18.
The application is submitted to the registration office of the citizen’s choice, or to a consular office by persons residing permanently abroad or staying temporarily for more than 182 days during the year.
After the application is received, information regarding the person’s birth, marriage, divorce, and other civil status acts is verified. Subsequently, the documents are sent to the police authority at the place of residence for investigation.
Based on the results of the checks, the registration authority makes a decision regarding the change of name, patronymic, or surname. If the decision is positive, the change is registered, and the citizen is issued the relevant certificate.
Persons who do not agree with the refusal decision can appeal against it through administrative procedures or in court.
The ministry noted that individuals who have the status of a suspect or accused in a criminal case, those with an unexpunged or unremoved conviction, as well as those subject to compulsory medical measures, are not permitted to change their name, patronymic, or surname.
According to the legislation, it is also not possible to change the name, patronymic, and surname repeatedly. Exceptions include cases where one of the spouses changes their surname, the change of a child’s patronymic due to the change of the father’s name, and the updating of children’s surnames when parents change their surnames.
A state fee of 15 manats is paid for the state registration of a change of name, patronymic, and surname. The change of surname by one spouse does not result in the automatic change of the other spouse’s surname.