Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedure for a divorced person to revert to their original surname; the documentary evidence that is required; and if there is a consistent approach to the matter across all public bodies. [35166/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Irish legal system, a person’s name is the name by which they are known, or commonly use.

That name does not necessarily need to be supported by any documentary evidence though such evidence is often required for a wide range of administrative and legal matters. For most people this evidence is most commonly provided and accepted in the form of a birth certificate, which may be supported by a marriage certificate in the case of a change of name on marriage.

There is no formality prescribed by law for the change of a person’s name or the assumption of another name.

Where a person wishes to change their name as recorded by my Department because of divorce, they must submit divorce agreement documents or correspondence from a solicitor showing that a divorce has been initiated. Their surname will then be updated on the records of my Department.

If the person has been SAFE registered and issued with a Public Services Card, a new Card will issue showing their updated surname. This Card can be accepted as proof of identity when accessing the services provided by a number of public bodies, specified in primary legislation (“specified bodies”).

It is a matter for each specified body, however, to decide whether further evidence of change of name is required in such cases.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.