No person can change his name or surname without judicial authority.
Civil Code · Book I: Persons · Title XIII: Use of Surnames
Current text, as of October 24, 2026
No person can change his name or surname without judicial authority.
Consolidated by Alleba from the text of Republic Act No. 386 (Lawphil and the Supreme Court E-Library). Book I provisions on marriage, family relations and parental authority were repealed by the Family Code (Executive Order No. 209, 1987) and are shown for reference only. For information and research only, and not legal advice. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.