Brazil: Thousands change names via civil registries under new law

Since the implementation of Federal Law 14.382/22 in July 2022, thousands of Brazilians have changed their first names directly through civil registries without requiring judicial authorization. Data from the National Association of Natural Person Registrars (Arpen-Brasil) indicates a significant shift in how identity is managed, as adults over 18 can now request changes by presenting personal documents and paying required fees.

In Rio Grande do Sul, more than 1,600 individuals have utilized this simplified procedure. Nationally, the Southeast region leads with 14,500 changes, followed by the Northeast with 12,600. States such as São Paulo and Minas Gerais have recorded the highest numbers of name alterations.

The law also facilitates the inclusion of family surnames at any time. However, the ability to change a first name without providing a specific justification through extrajudicial means is limited to a single occurrence; any subsequent reversal would require a court decision.