Taking wife’s surname

I have a beautiful and successful wife, and I wish to take her surname instead of keeping mine. I have heard that in some countries, such as South Africa, husbands were not allowed to take their wives’ surnames, but this has now changed. What about Tanzania? Can I legally take my wife’s surname, and if so, how would I go about it?

FJ, Dodoma

The law in Tanzania does not prohibit men from taking their wives’ surnames; it simply requires a formal legal process. So, yes, in Tanzania, a man can legally take his wife’s surname, but not automatically through marriage. Unlike some countries that have detailed provisions in their marriage laws, Tanzania requires a husband who wishes to adopt his wife’s surname to follow the legal name-change procedure. This is done by a deed poll, which is a legal declaration of changing your name. Once executed, the deed poll must be registered. After registration, your wife’s surname becomes your legal surname, and you can update all your official records accordingly. You may find it necessary to notify the relevant government offices, such as the National Identification Authority (NIDA) for updating your citizen identity card, the Immigration Department for passport purposes, and banks amongst others. Further, all your documents (national ID, passport, bank accounts, employment records, property deeds) will need to be updated after the name change.

Culturally, it may still be uncommon in Tanzania, so you may face questions or social resistance, however, legally, there is no barrier. Ensure the change is consistent across all your records to avoid issues with contracts, inheritance, or travel arrangements. Therefore, while your marriage itself does not automatically grant you the right to use your wife’s surname, you can achieve this by following the name-change process through a deed poll. Consult your lawyer for further guidance. We wish you all the best.