Changing Your Name in Brazil

A recent case in São Paulo went viral after a mother changed her daughter’s name because of concerns about gender identity and bullying. Although names are generally meant to last a lifetime, Brazilian law allows changes under certain circumstances.

For the first 15 days after a child is born, parents can request a name change at the notary office that issued the birth certificate. If both parents agree, the change is straightforward. After that period, approval from a court is required.

Adults can also change their names. At age 18, anyone has the right to change their first name one time without giving a reason. As long as there’s no sign of fraud, bad faith, or other irregularity, the notary can process the request.

Changes to a last name are more common. They’re usually tied to life events such as marriage, divorce, or a registered common law union (união estável). In these cases, a spouse can adopt or drop the other’s surname, and the notary will update the records.

Finally, some public figures are better known by a nickname or stage name than by their legal name. Lula, Xuxa, and Anitta are three well-known examples. When a name becomes part of a person’s public identity, Brazilian law allows it to be officially recognized.

While most people keep the name they were given at birth, Brazil’s legal system recognizes that names, like people, can evolve over time. And when they do, there’s a process in place to make that change official.