In Islam, names often have a weight through the meanings that they carry. Although not an obligation, many of those who convert to the religion opt to change their names to something that can mean better and provide more honor.
It is only generally needed for a Muslim, especially one who has reverted to Islam, to change his or her name in the following cases: one, if the name means something that conflicts with Islamic teachings, and two, if the original one has an evil and a negative connotation.
But if you’re a Filipino who has recently reverted to Islam, and you want to officially change your name to a Muslim one, is it possible?
Limits of name change
Consulate General Ed Badajos of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah cited an instance in which a Filipino woman in Saudi Arabia has married a Muslim man under Muslim rites, and has reverted to Islam. She sent a query to one of the consuls about the annotation of her adopted Muslim name in her birth certificate as well as her other government-issued documents and IDs through her Certificate of Conversion to Islam.
The query was answered by the Philippine Statistics Authority, which stated that the said certificate is not a legal basis for the change of name. It turns out, the rules are strict when it comes to this because according to the Republic Act 9048—an act authorizing the consul general to correct a clerical or typographical error in an entry and/or change someone’s first name without the need of a judicial order—a person can only change his or her name in the following cases:
(1) The petitioner finds the first name or nickname to be ridiculous, tainted with dishonor or extremely difficult to write or pronounce;
(2) The new first name or nickname has been habitually and continuously used by the petitioner and he has been publicly known by that first name or nickname in the community; or,
(3) The change will avoid confusion.
Citing PSA, Consulate General Badajos added, “ayon sa Rules and Regulations Governing Registration of Acts and Events Concerning Civil Status of Muslim Filipinos, ang ‘conversion to Islam is more on professing Islamic faith’ at hindi ito isang legal ground upang baguhin ang pangalan ng isang tao.”
The best chance of a Muslim to have his or her name changed is to have her adopted Muslim name continuously used in the in the community for a long period of time.
What if you qualify?
If you’re one of those who fit the category, you must be of legal age (18 years old and above) or if not, a guardian of legal age must file on your behalf.
You can file a petition at your Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO). In the Section 5 of RA 9048, the petition must contain: Merits of the petition, Competency of the petitioner, and Erroneous entry to be corrected and proposed correction; first name to be changed and the proposed new first name.
As for the documents and supporting papers needed, be sure to prepare the following:
Supporting documents:
– Certified machine copy of the certificate containing the alleged erroneous entry or entries
– Not less than 2 public or private documents upon which the correction shall be based (baptismal certificate, voters affidavit, employment record, GSIS/SSS record, medical record, school record, business record, driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land transfer, bank passbook, NBI/police clearance, civil registry records of ascendants, and others).
– Notice and Certificate of Posting
– Certified machine copy of the Official Receipt of the filing fee
– Other documents as may be required by the City/Municipal Civil Registrar (C/MCR)
Supporting papers:
– Clearance from authorities such as clearance from employer (if employed), the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, and other clearances as may be required.
– Proof of Publication. An affidavit of publication from the publisher and copy of the newspaper clippings should be attached.
The fee for a petition filed with the Consul General for the change of name is $150.
