EXPLAINER: No, Sharmaine, a notarized affidavit isn’t enough to legally change your name

A viral skit shows the fruit demanding a more elegant name.

The internet has been having a good laugh over the viral video of an orange demanding a new name.

The fruit’s complaint was simple: Why is it called “orange” just because it happens to be orange? It then proposed a new name for itself—Sharmaine.

Funny as the premise is, it raises an interesting real-world question: What if you genuinely dislike your name? Can you simply have a document notarized and start calling yourself something else?

The answer is no.

Contrary to popular belief, a notarized affidavit is not enough to legally change your name in the Philippines. While an affidavit may explain your reasons for wanting a new name, it does not automatically amend your birth certificate or make government agencies recognize your preferred identity.

To legally change your first name, nickname, or correct certain clerical errors, you must file a petition with the Local Civil Registrar under Republic Act No. 9048. The law allows changes only under specific circumstances, such as when a name is ridiculous, difficult to pronounce or write, causes embarrassment, or when a person has long been known by another name in everyday life.

Applicants must submit a PSA birth certificate, supporting documents showing use of the preferred name, and clearances proving they have no criminal record. The petition must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

Changing a surname is even more complicated.

Unlike first names, surname changes generally require court approval. A judge must determine whether there are valid legal grounds, such as correcting family records, adoption, legitimation, or resolving confusion about one’s identity.

In short, legally changing your name is not as simple as signing a document before a notary public.

The law treats a person’s name as an important part of public identity. Government records, contracts, property titles, passports, licenses, and other legal documents all rely on it. That is why the process involves scrutiny, documentation, and in some cases, court proceedings.

So while the viral orange may be determined to become Sharmaine, it would take more than a notarized affidavit to make it official.

As many Filipinos eventually discover, changing your name is possible—but it requires much more than simply deciding you no longer like the one you were given.

READ: