We get a lot of questions about the possibility of changing names applying via citizenship by investments. Name change is legally guaranteed right in many countries. Rules have changed recently with CBI programs in 2024, restricting changing names for security reasons, especially changing names is used for identity laundering by criminals.
There are many genuine reasons that drive people to change their names to start a new life with new identity papers.
- Marriage / Divorce
- Religious beliefs or luck.
- Ethnicity or Family connections
- Adoption
- Witness protection
- Difficult to pronounce
- Politically supporting a cause
- Gender identity
- Privacy from Stalkers
- Celebrities seeking privacy
Lets take a look below at the prevailing rules for citizenship by investment programs. Here is what you need to know..
| Country | Name change |
| St.Kitts and Nevis | Allowed once with the permission from National security agency |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Allowed after 5 years of becoming citizen. |
| St.Lucia | Prohibited |
| Dominica | Prohibited |
| Grenada | Allowed after 1 year of becoming citizen |
| Turkey | Allowed as per Law 1353 be filed in civil court with a valid reason. |
| Vanuatu | Prohibited. Only Allowed with proof of renouncing previous nationality, else not possible. |
| Malta | Permitted by the Director of Public Registry as a minor correction to the name |
| North Macedonia | Permitted application submitted to the Ministry of Interior. |
To apply for change you have to file deed poll. A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name (sample format pdf) filed in court with the help of attorney and advertised in two local newspapers for no objections. The application may be rejected, if you have criminal record or fraudulent purpose with no genuine reason provided. You can change any part of your name, add or remove names and hyphens, or change spelling or characters.
Note: If you have changed your name, there will be an endorsement marked in your passport front or backpage, that you have changed your name.