My name's Alex and this is my website all about Villamartin in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Residency in Villamartin: padron, residencia and passport advice and much more!
Change of Surname (useful resource)
Good morning, this year I have been going through the process of changing my sur name here in Spain and struggled to find any helpful information about it, so I thought I would share my experience which may help others.
1. I changed my Uk passport, easily done online and used the post room in Villamartin plaza to send old passport back to the Uk.
2. I got my marriage certificate aposilised by sending back to the Uk ( cost £35). I got it delivered back to someone who was coming to visit me and they brought it out as I thought it was safer that way.
3. On getting my marriage certificate back I then got it translated into Spanish (cost 40€) I used Tradusan who were very efficient but there are plenty to choose from.
4. Changing name on TIE card. The hardest bit was getting an appointment! There are only two places that do it in Alicante province. You need either the Oficina de Extranjero in Alicante or Benidorm. Select the appointment for fingerprints. After 3 months of trying I got an appointment in Benidorm! You need the application form (Ex 17), tasa form 12 (take it to your bank to pay the 19.30€ fee and keep all copies given back to you by the bank, old passport, new passport, original aposilised marriage certificate, Spanish translation of marriage certificate, TIE card, Padrón certificate (within 3 months of issue), two photos (TIE card size). The card takes about a month to be replaced, they keep your old card and when you return back to the office to collect it you do not need an appointment, just show your receipt and you are allowed straight in.
5. Padrón- you need an appointment at the town hall in Playa Flamenca. You need old Padrón certificate, old and new passport, new TIE card, original aposilised marriage certificate and Spanish translation, house deeds. The change is done on the spot and new Padrón certificate is issued along with a receipt for the change of name.
6 Driving license- I got an appointment at the DGT office in Elche, you need the application form (tick the box name change), 2 photos (driving license size), new TIE card, old and new passport, marriage certificate and translation, new Padrón certificate ( within 3 months of issue). They take your old driving license and issue a temporary license valid for 6 months. The new one can either be collected or sent in the post.
7. Healthcare- I have Convenio Especial, so I had to go back to the office in Alicante where my original card was issued. You do need an appointment but I couldn’t find the information of how to make one, so I went to the office in Alicante to find out how and I was lucky they saw me there and then and issued a new card with my new name on the spot. Again I needed my old SIP card, new TIE card, old passport, new passport, original marriage certificate, Spanish translation, new Padrón Certificate ( less than 3 months old).
8. Bank - I am with Sabadell. Just go to the regular desk (no appointment needed). You need your account details, new TIE card and passport ( I did take all the other documents mentioned above but they weren’t needed, however, I would take them anyway just in case) The name change was done there and then, although it takes about 24 hours to update online. If you have insurances with the bank they change automatically. New debit and credit cards take around 10 days and can be posted home or collected at the branch.
9. Direct debits - I visited the utilities offices for water and electric, again with all the documents mentioned above. You needed an appointment for water but just walked in for electric. Suma office in Playa Flamenca, again, just show up take a ticket and wait your turn again with all the documents mentioned above. Community tax, it was sufficient to send an email with a photograph of my new TIE card and Passport.
10. Tax office- I just sent an email to my accountant, again with a photo of my new passport and TIE card and he did the rest.
11. Digital certificate- I just started from scratch and got a new one in my new name.
12. Spanish will - needs to be changed to reflect your new marital status or if you wish to change your beneficiaries.
I think that is it! The whole process took about 8 months, from getting a new Uk passport to completing all the name changes. I hope this helps someone in future!
