Name Change in Malta

Maltravers2011 Member

1POSTS

6 years ago

I am retired. I was granted Maltese citizenship 2-3 years back as my mother was from Malta. I have yet to register my birth, but I also have to seek permission to have my name changed from that in my birth certificate. Whereas all of my current legal documents have my new name, including my UK passport, my birth certificate has my old name. My name was changed in the UK by deed poll, which is not recognised in聽 Malta. It is illegal to hold passports (UK and Maltese) with different names.

Has anybody gone through this procedure? I have sought the help from about 10 lawyers in Malta, but have only ever received one reply (ie unable to help).

I plan to go to Malta in the first half of 2020 to try and sort this out but I don't want to waste time whilst I am there.

Thanks

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AnnaMGardiner Member

1POSTS

6 years ago

I would be very interested in finding out how you proceed as I am in exactly the same situation.

Claudine126 Member

2POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Were you successful if your investigations in applying for a Maltese passport but having a change name by UK deed poll?聽 I have a similar situation I'm looking into for a family member.聽 Please can you share any relevant info?聽 Thank you.

GozoMo Malta Expert

2212POSTS

6 years ago

Claudine126 wrote:
Hi Were you successful if your investigations in applying for a Maltese passport but having a change name by UK deed poll?聽 I have a similar situation I'm looking into for a family member.聽 Please can you share any relevant info?聽 Thank you.

I don鈥檛 suppose they were able to travel to Malta in the first half of this year, but hopefully they may have more information to help you.

Tessa_C New member

5POSTS

6 years ago

This might be a bit late but my name was changed by deed poll in the UK,I took all relevant documents,birth,marriage,divorce certificates,U.K. passport and the deed poll to Evans house,they photocopied the lot and sent me off to get passport photos (not sure why) I took the oath the same day paid my 鈧�80 and that was it,two years later I have Maltese citizenship with no problem,hope this helps!

Claudine126 Member

2POSTS

5 years ago

Hi Tessa

That's interesting thank you.聽 I'm struggling to understand why the UK deed poll/different name wasn't an issue when applying for citizenship, but only now that a passport application is required.聽 When we're next able to travel, maybe that's the way forward instead of costly solicitors (quote best part of 850 euros today!).聽 Thanks for the tip.

Best wishes
Claudine

1 member reacted to this post

felixjer Member

18POSTS

5 years ago

I am an American living in Washington, DC. My great-grandparents were immigrants from Malta to Detroit back in the early 1900s. My grandmother was the first generation born in the States. A couple years ago I went through the process of acquiring Maltese citizenship, which was granted -- and I am so happy about that! However, back when I was 20 years old, I changed my surname for personal reasons. When I received my citizenship certificate my original surname at birth was printed on it. I did not understand why. However, since becoming a citizen, I have been going through the additional process of getting a Maltese passport. Again, for personal reasons, I don't want my original surname on it, but my new surname instead. The consul at the embassy here in DC informed me that "Maltese law does not allow surname changes to be done through the public registry in the absence of a marriage". When my citizenship and my birth were registered, apparently I was put into the public registry as "Firstname Middlename Newsurname Originalsurname", which is what would appear on my passport. Apparently, according to the consul, you have to go through the Maltese courts (hire a lawyer) to have your name changed if you want only your current name to appear on the passport. So that is what I will have to do.

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

I'm in exactly the same boat, I have my citizenship certificate which has both my current legal name and my surname at birth. I added my mothers surname to my own in the UK by statutory declaration making a double barrelled name.
I don't mind if my passport has my original surname and I've asked if I can be registered simply under my original surname.
It's not much use having citizenship if I can't get a passport and I've no desire to hand a Maltese lawyer a bunch of money for the sake of one word.

NadurYoungster New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

Just a thought (and possibly a stupid one), but could someone renounce their Maltese citizenship and then reapply under their new surname?

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#10

NadurYoungster wrote:
Just a thought (and possibly a stupid one), but could someone renounce their Maltese citizenship and then reapply under their new surname?

That's the problem though, I applied for my citizenship under my "new" surname which I've actually held for most of my life and聽 my citizernsship was granted with no problem but the system won't let you then register your birth in the Public Register under your new name which means you can't apply for a passport.

I've told the embassy to just register me under my birth name and they've said they are looking into it.

What the Public Registry said was they couldn't register my current surname so logic dictates that they shouid be able to register my original name.

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#11

The embassy have advised I have no choice other than to go through the process of hiring a lawyer. Has anyone gone through this process and can anyone recommend a lawyer ?

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#12

Claudine126 wrote:
Hi Tessa

That's interesting thank you.聽 I'm struggling to understand why the UK deed poll/different name wasn't an issue when applying for citizenship, but only now that a passport application is required.聽 When we're next able to travel, maybe that's the way forward instead of costly solicitors (quote best part of 850 euros today!).聽 Thanks for the tip.

Best wishes
Claudine

I received a quote for half that amount with a guarantee of success. PM me and I'll pass on the name of my lawyer.

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#13

So my learnings are this.

If you changed your name before applying for citizenship and like me were granted citizenship in your new name if you want your act of birth registered in Malta in order to obtain your passport you must obtain a decree from the court instructing the public registry to register you under your new name.

There is no way around this, this was clearly pointed out to me by the embassy and by my lawyer when they contacted the Public Registry.

Asking to register under your old name is not a runner, if like me your citizenship has been issued in your new name.

The good news is it's not as expensive as you might think and I'm told its a fairly straightforward procedure.

It just means that you have to add on a couple of months after you get your citizenship before you get the passport.

It's unfortunate that the authorities don't point this out when applying for citizenship and it does seem a bit illogical but it is what it is and there are no shortcuts.

My case has been duly filed and I'll update on here when it's completed so people can have an idea of how long it takes.

If anyone want's to message me I'm happy to give an account of my experience if it will help anyone else in the same boat.

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#14

My case was heard in court yesterday and was successful.聽

It took just under a month from filing the application, once I receive a legal copy of the decree I can go ahead with the my birth registration and passport application.

Quite a painless process really and not very costly. My lawyers have been great keeping me updated every step of the way.

luxmlt Member

21POSTS

4 years ago

#15

Congratulations Eddie, good to hear it was a quick process.

I anticipate a similar challenge when helping a relative who changed their name by deed poll, whose application is currently with the citizenship unit. Will be sure to ask your advice then if that's okay.

Good luck with the passport application.

1 member reacted to this post

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#16

luxmlt wrote:
Congratulations Eddie, good to hear it was a quick process.

I anticipate a similar challenge when helping a relative who changed their name by deed poll, whose application is currently with the citizenship unit. Will be sure to ask your advice then if that's okay.

Good luck with the passport application.

Thank you, by all means contact me if you need advice or a lawyer recommendation.

donclifton New member

3POSTS

4 years ago

#17

Hi Eddie B-A,
Could you please tell me the solicitors that you used to obtain the the changes that needed to proceed with your successful application though the courts as i have a similar situation and the solicitor i have do not seem聽 be getting, lets just say very fast as i have waited over one year and still have got nowhere with this, frustration is at the very least an understatement with something so simple as a surname change, Regards, Don.

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#18

Hi Don

I've messaged you with details of my lawyer.

It took me just under a month all told, its very much an everyday process so I can't understand why your lawyer would be so slow !

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#19

The embassy in Dublin mailed me this morning to let me know that my passport is ready for collection from them, so my journey has come to its successful conclusion.

This forum has been a great help, just knowing I wasn't the only one caught up in Maltese bureaucracy was a comfort of sorts !

1 member reacted to this post

Marlene Lindner Member

15POSTS

4 years ago

#20

Congratulations! 馃嚥馃嚬

2 members reacted to this post

luxmlt Member

21POSTS

4 years ago

#21

Congratulations Eddie, how long did it take you in the end - less than a couple of years I think? You鈥檝e also been very helpful to me and others on resolving a name change issue.

I鈥檓 in Valetta at the moment and it鈥檚 a warm and sunny afternoon. There are worse places of which to be a citizen, as you now are!

1 member reacted to this post

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

4 years ago

#22

I had my appointment on 29th January 2020 so yes less than 2 years.

I'm looking forward to a cold Cisk and a Pastizzi when I'm in Valletta next May.

2 members reacted to this post

donclifton New member

3POSTS

4 years ago

#23

Well done Eddie, brilliant news,
Regards,
Don

2 members reacted to this post

luxmlt Member

21POSTS

4 years ago

#24

Just an additional datapoint - I follows Eddie鈥檚 introduction to a Maltese lawyer who helped deal with a relative鈥檚 name change. It took about five weeks all told, very simple.

1 member reacted to this post

atricker Member

1POSTS

4 years ago

#25

@Eddie B-A

Hi Eddie

Can you tell me your lawyer please.

My situation is slightly different as I was born in Malta so my birth is registered

My name changed by deed poll so it is different on my birth certificate to my marriage certificate which is why I need to register the deed poll.聽

I鈥檝e been told I need a lawyer and yours sounds like they know what they鈥檙e doing

Thank you in advance

2 members reacted to this post

kdpritchard New member

7POSTS

4 years ago

#26

Hello folks, I find myself in a similar position, the surname on my Maltese Birth Certificate doesn't match mine - it includes my father's middle name.聽

I'm visiting Malta very soon, can anyone offer a recommended Lawyer?

Cheers, Kevin

1 member reacted to this post

Guest9872 Guest

0POSTS

3 years ago

#27

@Eddie B-A Hi Eddie having read your pearls of wisdom regarding getting your birth name changed in order to obtain a Maltese passport . I would be grateful if you could let me have the details of the lawyer who was able to perform this service at a聽聽 reasonable cost.

Many thanks in advance.

础濒补苍听

1 member reacted to this post

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#28

@alanlengland Hi Alan,

I've sent you a PM with details, good luck.

andycompton Member

0POSTS

3 years ago

#29

@Eddie B-A @Eddie B-A

Hiya Eddie,

I鈥檝e read your earlier posts.

I happen to be in a very similar situation.

Could you please send me the details of the law firm you hired to help you with the matter.

I鈥檓 looking forward to hearing from you.

Have a good one.

Regards,

础苍诲测.馃愤馃憢

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#30

@andycompton

Apologies, somehow I missed your post.

I've sent you a PM with my advocates details.

donclifton New member

3POSTS

3 years ago

#31

Hi Eddie,聽 I hope you are well and as聽 promised, I'd get back to you when my name problem was sorted.

The solicitor that you recommend was as you said very professional and fast and in my opinion good quality for the money (not bad really) although when you want something you need, money, dare I say it needs to be payed for the right out come. And boy did she deliver, as you say she tells it as it is ,no frills, yes or no, how much it would cost , etc聽 and within six weeks, court judgement issued with the name that I go by now, brilliant. one hundred percent better than that other solicitor who gave me the run around for a whole year and had the cheek to pay them more for......well I don't know as I got nothing apart from stress !

After that had then to wait聽 three聽 months聽 for an interview for the Malta High Commission for a passport,

Passport issued within two weeks. I'm, thanks to you sorted, cannot thank you enough,

Best Regards,

Don.

1 member reacted to this post

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#32

@donclifton Hi Don,

I'm glad to hear it all worked out for you and that I could be of some help to you.

JohannaGalea Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#33

Hi Eddie. Could you please send the details of the lawyer you used for a name change too? Thanks a lot

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#34

@JohannaGalea I have sent you a message with contact details. Good luck !

Cheryl Moderator

16108POSTS

3 years ago

#35

Hello Eddie B-A,

Feel free to register the lawyer in the Malta business directory as well.

Cheers,

Cheryl

大咖福利影院 team

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#36

@Cheryl Thanks I will. I'm conscious that I'm not allowed to post the name of the business in the forums, thanks for the tip.

AndreaZA Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#37

Hi @Eddie B-A could you please send your lawyer's contact details?

Thank you so much!

kdpritchard New member

7POSTS

3 years ago

#38

Thanks from me also, @Eddie B-A.聽 I went to the office in Valletta, they sorted out my name problem pretty quickly.聽聽Very recently got my passport.聽馃槉

1 member reacted to this post

Eddie B-A Active member

73POSTS

3 years ago

#39

@AndreaZA I've sent you a DM with the details, good luck.

Denisemac1 Active member

44POSTS

3 years ago

#40

@Eddie B-A could you let me know Eddie please which lawyer you used and the cost as I have to do this for both of my children as both had their name changed by deedpole in uk,