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Colombia: Whether the law allows a person to change his/her last name or just their first name

In 24 June 2004 correspondence with the Research Directorate, the First Secretary in charge of Consular Affairs at the Consulate of Colombia in Ottawa provided the following information. Colombians have two last names: their mother's last name follows their father's last name. They are legally entitled to keep only one of these names if they so choose. Colombians are also permitted to select a different last name than their parents'. If this is the case, the law requires an affidavit issued by a notary public. A new Registry is issued after, bearing the new name. The time needed to complete this process can be up to one year, and the procedure may only be done once.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Reference

Consulate of Colombia in Ottawa. 24 June 2004. Correspondence from the First Secretary in charge of Consular Affaires.