How to Change Your Name on Civil Documents and What the Requirements Are

Citizens can change their name on civil documents as needed. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Dukcapil, there are two types of name changes on civil documents—such as the e-KTP, family card (KK), or birth certificate.

Quoting the Dukcapil Kemendagri website, the process of changing a name on civil documents is indeed possible, but it must follow the legal path already regulated in the Population Administration Law and Presidential Regulation Number 96 of 2018 concerning Requirements and Procedures for Population Registration and Civil Registration. There are two types of name changes, namely:

• First, changes due to writing errors or administrative technical mistakes. Cases like this can be handled directly at the Dukcapil Office.

• Second, substantive changes—for example changing the name Rahma to Dewi or adding a clan name—must go through a district court ruling.

Article 52 of Law No. 23 of 2006, which has been amended by Law No. 24 of 2013, clearly states that the recording of a name change is carried out based on a district court ruling. After that, citizens report the ruling to the Dukcapil Office to be recorded in the civil documents.

Requirements for Changing a Name in Court

Here is the list of requirements that must be fulfilled to carry out a name change at the district court.

• Stamped application letter

• Photocopy of e-KTP

• Photocopy of KK

• Photocopy of birth certificate

• Photocopy of marriage certificate for those who are married

• Other documents such as diplomas or passports

• The applicant must also present at least two witnesses to explain the reason for the name change before the judge

Procedure for Substantive Name Change in Court

The following are the steps that must be taken to apply for a substantive name change in court.

• Application to the Court

Submit a name change application to the district court

• Complete Documents and Witnesses

Prepare documents and at least two witnesses to explain the reason for the name change before the judge

• Court Ruling

After the decision, the court issues a name change ruling

• Report to Dukcapil

Bring an official copy of the court ruling to the Dukcapil Office according to domicile to be recorded

Procedure for Substantive Name Change at the Dukcapil Office

After applying for a substantive name change in court, please visit the Dukcapil Office bringing the requirements:

• Official copy of the court ruling

• Quotation of the civil registration deed

• Family card (KK)

• e-KTP

Then, process by filling in:

• Form F-2.01 (Change of population data)

• Form F-1.02 (Print new e-KTP and KK)

Afterwards, the officer will conduct verification. Following that, a marginal note will be added to the civil registration deed register as proof of the change.

Results of the Name Change

• New e-KTP (new name listed according to the ruling)

• New family card (name change recorded in the KK)

• Birth certificate (contains a marginal note as proof of the change)

Civil documents are the foundation of a citizen’s civil rights. Name changes must be carried out according to the rules so as not to cause legal problems in the future.