Applying for a name change online will soon be possible

TALLINN - A government-initiated bill that would allow people to apply for a name change online passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on Wednesday. The draft legislation, which amends the Names Act and the State Fees Act, enables submitting applications via the population register's online portal and, in certain cases, would automate the decision-making and registration process.

Currently, name change applications can be submitted in person at one of four vital statistics offices or via a digitally signed document. The bill proposes replacing the latter option with a secure online portal. Data will be cross-referenced with various databases to ensure compliance with legal requirements, and if all conditions are met, the decision and the entry into the population register will be processed automatically.

If an automated decision and registration are not possible, the application will be forwarded to an official who will handle the proceedings through the standard process. According to the bill, an official will need to make a discretionary decision in cases where, for example, an applicant requests a first name not previously accepted in the population register or a last name that, according to records, has not been used in their family.