- It is not a legal requirement for a woman to change her last name to her husband's once they get married.
- Although it is generally required to apply at the Department of Home Affairs to change a surname, no application is necessary in the following circumstances:
- where a woman assumes the surname of her husband;
- where a divorced woman or a widow, resumes any surname she had previously, such as her maiden name;
- where a woman adds another surname to her current surname after marriage, such as a double-barrelled surname.
- If a woman decides to assume a different surname in one of the abovementioned circumstances, she must still notify the Department of Home Affairs in writing of same to update the population register.
Human Rights
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