How to change your name after court marriage in Nepal?

Court marriage is a form of marriage registration that is done at a district court in Nepal. Court marriage is a legal and valid way of getting married without following any religious or social rituals. Court marriage is also a convenient and quick way of getting married for people who have different religions, castes, or nationalities.

However, court marriage also involves some legal procedures and formalities that need to be followed before and after the marriage. One of these procedures is changing your name after court marriage. Changing your name after court marriage means adopting your spouse's surname or adding it to your own surname. Changing your name after court marriage is optional and not mandatory, but many people choose to do so for various reasons, such as personal preference, social acceptance, or legal convenience.

Changing your name after court marriage can be a simple or a complex process depending on your situation and requirements. Here are some steps and tips to help you change your name after court marriage in Nepal:

Step 1: Obtain a court marriage certificate
The first step to change your name after court marriage is to obtain a court marriage certificate from the district court where you registered your marriage. A court marriage certificate is a legal document that proves your marital status and your spouse's name. You will need this certificate to change your name on other documents and records.

To obtain a court marriage certificate, you will need to submit the following documents to the district court:

•  Duly filled and signed application form in the prescribed format

•  Original and notarised copy of citizenship certificate of both spouses

•  Original and notarised copy of citizenship certificate of two witnesses

•  Four passport size photos of both spouses

•  Bank voucher equivalent to Rs 500 as a court fee

The district court will verify your documents and issue you a court marriage certificate within a few days.

Step 2: Change your name on your citizenship certificate
The second step to change your name after court marriage is to change your name on your citizenship certificate. Your citizenship certificate is the most important identity document in Nepal that contains your personal details, such as your name, date of birth, address, and photo. You will need to update your citizenship certificate with your new name to avoid any confusion or inconsistency.

To change your name on your citizenship certificate, you will need to submit the following documents to the local ward office where you obtained your original citizenship certificate:

•  Original and notarised copy of your old citizenship certificate

•  Original and notarised copy of your spouse's citizenship certificate

•  Original and notarised copy of your court marriage certificate

•  Two passport size photos

•  Application form in the prescribed format

The local ward office will verify your documents and issue you a new citizenship certificate with your new name within a few weeks.

Step 3: Change your name on other documents and records
The third step to change your name after court marriage is to change your name on other documents and records that you use for various purposes, such as education, employment, banking, travel, etc. Changing your name on these documents and records will help you avoid any problems or complications in the future.

To change your name on other documents and records, you will need to submit the following documents to the respective authorities or institutions:

•  Original and notarised copy of your new citizenship certificate

•  Original and notarised copy of your court marriage certificate

•  Original and notarised copy of your old document or record

•  Application form in the prescribed format

Some of the common documents and records that you may need to change are:

•  Passport

•  Driving license

•  Voter ID card

•  PAN card

•  Bank account

•  Educational certificates

•  Employment records

•  Insurance policies

•  Property deeds

The respective authorities or institutions will verify your documents and issue you a new document or record with your new name within a few days or weeks.

Tips:
•  Changing your name after court marriage is optional and not mandatory. You can choose to keep your maiden name or adopt your spouse's surname or add it to your own surname.

•  Changing your name after court marriage can be a simple or a complex process depending on your situation and requirements. You may need to follow different procedures and submit different documents depending on where you obtained your original documents and records.

•  Changing your name after court marriage can take time and money. You may need to pay fees for obtaining new documents and records with your new name. You may also need to wait for several days or weeks for processing and verification.

•  Changing your name after court marriage can have legal and social implications. You may need to inform and update your family, friends, employers, clients, and other relevant parties about your name change. You may also need to comply with the laws and customs of the country where you live or travel with your new name.