Mexico City Proposes Easier Name Changes for Bullying Victims
Morena Lawmaker Proposes Streamlined Process to Change Names Linked to Bullying or Harassment
Local Morena deputy Adriana Espinosa de los Monteros has introduced a legislative proposal to simplify the process of changing names that expose individuals to ridicule, harassment, or bullying. During Tuesday's session, the lawmaker presented an initiative to amend Mexico City's Civil Code, allowing people to request a first-name change through the Civil Registry when their name repeatedly subjects them to mockery, harassment, discrimination, violence, bullying, or undermines their human dignity, psychological well-being, or personal development.
"The change will be processed administratively, without altering filiation or surnames, and will not require judicial intervention. Authorities will resolve the request within a maximum of 30 business days, guided by the pro persona principle and a human rights-based approach," states the proposal, which has been referred to committee for review.
Applicants must submit a properly completed request, provide a certified copy of their birth certificate, swear under oath to the validity of their reasons, and present reasonable evidence demonstrating the harm caused by their name.
The original birth certificate will not be voided, as it remains the official record of the individual's civil status. Instead, a marginal note will be added to document the authorized change.
"The Civil Registry will issue a new birth certificate with the approved first name, which will serve as the valid document for identification and the exercise of rights. The original certificate will be preserved as a historical and registral record to ensure legal continuity and registry security," the proposal clarifies.
Espinosa de los Monteros noted that while the local Civil Code already permits corrections to birth certificates—including name adjustments for homonymy and an administrative process for gender identity recognition—there is no specific mechanism for individuals whose names systematically expose them to harassment, discrimination, or bullying, severely impacting their mental health, self-esteem, and overall development.
"Currently, anyone in this situation who wants to change their name must file a lawsuit, hire a lawyer, and wait months or even years. They're also forced to spend money they may not have, straining their family finances. The reform we're proposing is straightforward and practical: it adds Article 135 Sexies to the Civil Code for Mexico City, creating an administrative procedure through the Civil Registry—without the need for court proceedings—through which anyone can request a first-name change if they can demonstrate that their name has repeatedly led to mockery, harassment, discrimination, or violence that undermines their dignity and integral development," she stated from the chamber.
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