CBI Passport Renewal with Name Change: Complete Guide 2026

Your citizenship by investment (CBI) passport is one of your most strategically valuable assets — and the moment your legal name no longer matches the document, that asset is effectively compromised. Airlines flag mismatches. Banks query discrepancies. Border officials raise questions you would rather not answer at 6 a.m. in a transit lounge. A CBI passport renewal with a name change resolves all of this — but it introduces a layer of documentary complexity that standard renewals do not carry. This guide covers every jurisdiction, every fee, every document, and every timeline you need to plan confidently in 2026.

For a broader overview of the renewal process across all six countries, visit our dedicated passport renewal service page. If you are still evaluating which CBI programme best suits your family's needs, our best citizenship by investment programmes hub provides a comprehensive comparison.

What Is a CBI Passport Renewal with a Name Change?

A CBI passport renewal with a name change is the formal reissuance of a citizenship by investment passport to reflect a legally updated name. Unlike standard renewals — which require only that your existing biographic details be carried forward — a name-change renewal requires the issuing Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to verify the legal basis for the discrepancy between the name on your citizenship certificate and the name you are now requesting on the new travel document.

The three most common triggers are:

• Marriage: A spouse adopts the partner's surname, or both parties adopt a double-barrelled name.
• Divorce: A former spouse reverts to a birth surname or a pre-marriage name.
• Court order / Deed Poll: A formal legal name change for personal, religious, or professional reasons.

Critically, no CBI jurisdiction currently processes name changes as a standalone amendment. The updated name is recorded only when a new passport is physically issued. This means your renewal timeline — and budget — must account for the additional evidentiary burden from day one.

Government Fees and Total Costs by Country

Understanding the full cost of a name-change renewal means separating government fees (fixed and non-negotiable) from authorised agent fees (variable, typically USD 500–1,500 above government fees) and ancillary costs such as apostille services, sworn translations, and courier charges.

St. Kitts & Nevis

The St. Kitts & Nevis CIU charges USD 1,055 for a CBI passport renewal — the highest government fee among all six jurisdictions. Processing takes 4–6 weeks under standard conditions, though name-change cases involving complex documentation may extend this. St. Kitts introduced a new biometric e-passport in 2024, meaning all renewals now issue the upgraded document. The CIU is an ECCIRA member. For full country-specific guidance, see our St. Kitts & Nevis passport renewal page.

Antigua & Barbuda

Government fees run USD 100–150, with biometric capture now mandatory at renewal. Processing takes 4–8 weeks. Antigua is an ECCIRA member and its CIU applies a rigorous document review; name-change cases should include a certified copy of the relevant civil register entry alongside the marriage certificate or decree absolute. See our Antigua & Barbuda passport renewal page for document checklists.

Dominica

Dominica offers the most cost-effective renewal in the CBI space at USD 75 in government fees, with a 4–6 week standard timeline. Name-change renewals follow the same fee structure, making Dominica the most accessible option for clients managing multiple family members' renewals simultaneously. Dominica is an ECCIRA member. Visit our Dominica passport renewal page for full details.

Grenada

Grenada's government fee is USD 100, and processing timelines were effectively halved in 2025 following CIU administrative reforms. Grenada is the ECCIRA headquarters country, which signals a strong institutional commitment to biometric standards and programme integrity. A particular consideration for Grenada passport holders: if you hold a US E-2 treaty investor visa, your Grenada passport must remain valid throughout the E-2 period — a name-change renewal that lapses creates immediate visa complications. Explore our Grenada passport renewal page for E-2 specific guidance.

St. Lucia

Government fees are USD 100, but St. Lucia is currently experiencing processing backlogs of 6–12 weeks — longer than any other Caribbean CBI jurisdiction. Name-change renewals, which require additional CIU review time, should be factored accordingly. St. Lucia is an ECCIRA member. See our St. Lucia passport renewal page.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu sits outside the ECCIRA framework and is governed by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). Government fees for renewal are USD 200–300, with a 6–8 week processing timeline. Importantly, the European Union revoked Vanuatu's visa-free access in December 2024 — a material change in the passport's travel utility. While the renewal process itself is unaffected, holders should undertake a strategic programme review alongside any name-change renewal. See our Vanuatu passport renewal page.

Required Documents for a CBI Passport Renewal with a Name Change

The documentary requirements for a name-change renewal are more demanding than those for a standard renewal. Every CIU requires evidence that the name change is legally valid in the jurisdiction where it occurred, and that evidence must be in a form the CIU can independently verify.

Universal requirements (all six countries)

• Current CBI passport (original, to be surrendered)
• Completed CIU renewal application form (country-specific)
• Recent passport-sized biometric photographs (typically 4, white background)
• Certified copy of your original citizenship certificate
• Police clearance certificate from your country of residence (issued within 3–6 months)
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, issued within 3 months)

Additional documents for name change

• Marriage: Original or certified copy of the marriage certificate, apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country
• Divorce: Decree absolute or equivalent final divorce order, apostilled
• Deed Poll / Court Order: Enrolled deed poll or court order reflecting the new name, apostilled
• Sworn translation: Any document not in English must be accompanied by a sworn translation from a certified translator, together with the translator's professional credentials
• Statutory declaration: Some CIUs (notably St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda) require a notarised statutory declaration confirming the name change is permanent and not intended to circumvent due diligence records

Important: Apostille requirements follow the Hague Apostille Convention. If your supporting document originates from a non-Hague country, consular legalisation through the relevant embassy is required — a process that can add four to twelve weeks to your preparation timeline.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Renew Your CBI Passport with a Name Change

1. Confirm your legal name change is finalised. Your CIU will not accept a name-change renewal application until the underlying legal instrument (marriage certificate, decree absolute, deed poll) is issued, apostilled, and — where necessary — translated. Do not begin the passport process until this is complete.
2. Instruct an authorised agent. All six CBI jurisdictions require or strongly recommend submission through an authorised agent. Mirabello Consultancy is an IMC member with active agent status across all six programmes.
3. Compile and legalise your document package. Your agent will provide a jurisdiction-specific checklist. Budget 4–8 weeks for apostille and translation services, particularly if documents were issued in non-English-speaking countries.
4. Complete biometric capture. For Caribbean CBI countries, biometrics are captured at designated enrolment centres — no visit to the issuing country is required. Vanuatu has its own biometric capture protocol managed through the VFSC network.
5. Submit the application. Your agent submits the full package to the CIU on your behalf, pays the government fee, and receives an acknowledgement reference number.
6. CIU review and name-change verification. The CIU cross-references your new name against your original citizenship file and the due diligence records on file. This step is unique to name-change renewals and may prompt requests for additional information (RFIs).
7. Passport issuance and secure delivery. Once approved, the new passport is dispatched via tracked, insured courier to your registered address. You will be required to return your old passport to the CIU.

Timeline: How Long Does a Name-Change Renewal Take?

The honest answer is: longer than you expect, and sooner than you think you need to start. Here is a realistic timeline breakdown for a name-change renewal managed by an authorised agent:

• Weeks 1–4: Document preparation — obtaining apostilles, commissioning sworn translations, completing biometric capture.
• Weeks 4–6: Application compilation and submission by your authorised agent.
• Weeks 6–20: CIU processing — varies by country:
  • Dominica: 4–6 weeks from submission
  • Grenada: 4–6 weeks (post-2025 reforms)
  • Antigua & Barbuda: 4–8 weeks
  • St. Kitts & Nevis: 4–6 weeks (but name-change review can extend)
  • St. Lucia: 6–12 weeks (current backlogs)
  • Vanuatu: 6–8 weeks
• Final week: Secure courier delivery of your new passport.

Our recommendation: Begin your name-change renewal process no later than six months before your current passport expires. If your passport is used for active business travel, eight months is more prudent — particularly for St. Lucia and Vanuatu.

Family Renewals with Name Changes

Many CBI families undertake renewals for multiple family members simultaneously — often triggered by a parent's marriage or divorce, which may also affect the registered surnames of dependent children on the original citizenship application. This adds a further layer of documentation:

• Children's birth certificates, apostilled, confirming parental relationship
• Court orders confirming parental authority to change a minor's name (required in most jurisdictions)
• In the case of divorce, confirmation of custody arrangements where a child's surname is being changed to align with one parent
• Updated school enrolment records or equivalent documentation confirming the child's use of the new name

Coordinating a family renewal — particularly where name changes affect multiple family members — significantly benefits from a single authorised agent managing all files simultaneously. Mirabello Consultancy routinely handles multi-member family renewals from a single point of contact, reducing administrative friction and ensuring document packages are consistent across all applications.

Remote Renewal: No Country Visit Required

One of the most practically valuable features of the CBI renewal system is that no applicant is required to visit the issuing country for a passport renewal — including name-change renewals. This applies to all six jurisdictions. Biometric data is captured at authorised enrolment centres globally, your documents are submitted electronically or via secure courier by your agent, and your new passport is delivered to your registered address worldwide.

For clients based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Mirabello Consultancy's Dubai office provides a dedicated in-person service — handling document review, biometric appointment coordination, and CIU liaison without requiring travel to Europe or the Caribbean. This is particularly relevant for UAE-resident clients managing Vanuatu passport renewals, where the VFSC's agent network requires careful navigation.

Lost or Stolen Passport: Name-Change Complications

If your CBI passport has been lost or stolen and you also need to process a name change, expect the most complex renewal scenario in the CBI system. Processing times for lost or stolen passports run 3–6 months across all jurisdictions, and the additional name-change documentation compounds the CIU's due diligence burden.

You will need, in addition to all standard name-change documents:

• An official police report from the country where the passport was lost or stolen
• A notarised affidavit confirming the circumstances of the loss or theft
• A sworn declaration that the passport has not been surrendered to any foreign authority

We strongly recommend clients in this situation engage a specialist agent immediately — delays in the lost/stolen report process have downstream implications for re-entry documentation and emergency travel arrangements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying before the legal name change is finalised. A CIU will not accept a name-change application based on a pending deed poll or an unapostilled marriage certificate. Wait until all legal instruments are complete.
• Using uncertified translations. Only sworn translations from accredited translators are accepted. Google Translate, bilingual friends, or unaccredited translation services will result in an automatic rejection.
• Underestimating apostille timelines. In some jurisdictions, apostille processing takes 4–8 weeks even for straightforward documents. Factor this into your overall timeline before booking travel.
• Neglecting to update your citizenship records. Renewing your passport does not automatically update your name on your citizenship certificate. Confirm with your CIU (or through your agent) whether a separate citizenship record amendment is required — some jurisdictions mandate this as a concurrent step.
• Waiting until passport expiry. A CBI passport cannot be used for travel once it has expired, and some countries require six months' validity beyond your travel dates. Begin the renewal process early.
• Assuming Vanuatu rules mirror Caribbean CBI rules. Vanuatu is governed by the VFSC, not ECCIRA, and its procedural requirements, agent relationships, and due diligence standards differ materially from the Caribbean programmes.

ECCIRA and the 2026 Biometric Mandate

The Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) was formally established in December 2025, with its headquarters in Grenada. Its five Caribbean CBI member countries — St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia — are in the process of rolling out a standardised biometric mandate and e-passport framework across their renewal programmes. Vanuatu is not an ECCIRA member.

The practical implication for name-change renewals is that biometric capture is becoming universally mandatory across Caribbean CBI renewals. St. Kitts already introduced its biometric e-passport in 2024; other member countries are following. For clients whose renewals straddle the transition period, biometric enrolment will be required even if their previous renewal did not include it.

ECCIRA is also consulting on a 30-day physical presence requirement for CBI holders — currently postponed to mid-2026 — which, if enacted, would affect renewal eligibility for clients who have not maintained any connection to their CBI country. Mirabello Consultancy monitors all regulatory developments and will advise clients proactively as ECCIRA's framework is confirmed. For the latest updates, visit eccira.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on a CBI passport without renewing the entire passport?

No. No CBI jurisdiction — whether Caribbean or Pacific — currently processes standalone name-change amendments. Your name can only be updated when a new passport is physically issued. Any name change must therefore be processed as part of a full passport renewal.

How much does a CBI passport renewal with a name change cost?

Government fees range from USD 75 (Dominica) to USD 1,055 (St. Kitts & Nevis). In addition to government fees, you should budget USD 500–1,500 for authorised agent fees, plus ancillary costs for apostille services, sworn translations, and courier charges. Total costs for a single applicant typically range from approximately USD 1,000 to USD 3,500 depending on the country and document complexity.

How long does a CBI passport renewal with a name change take?

Total timelines — from beginning document preparation to receiving your new passport — typically run 8–20 weeks for Caribbean CBI programmes and 10–16 weeks for Vanuatu. St. Lucia is currently experiencing backlogs of 6–12 weeks from submission, making it the longest-processing jurisdiction. Start at least six months before your current passport expires; eight months is advisable for complex family cases or if your documents require consular legalisation.

Do I need to travel to the CBI country to renew my passport with a name change?

No. All six CBI jurisdictions permit fully remote renewals — including name-change cases. Biometric data is captured at authorised enrolment centres in your country of residence. Mirabello Consultancy's Dubai office handles the full process for GCC-based clients, and our Zurich office serves European clients, without any requirement to travel to the issuing jurisdiction.

What happens if my supporting documents are not in English?

Any document not in English must be accompanied by a sworn translation from a certified translator. The translator must provide their professional credentials alongside the translation. Uncertified or unsworn translations are routinely rejected by CIUs. If your documents were issued in a language other than English, build an additional 2–4 weeks into your timeline for translation, and confirm translator accreditation with your agent before commissioning the work.

Does a Grenada passport name-change renewal affect my US E-2 visa?

Your US E-2 treaty investor visa is tied to your Grenada passport. If your passport expires or becomes invalid due to a name mismatch, your E-2 status may be jeopardised. It is essential to renew your Grenada passport — and align the name on your passport with your E-2 application records — before either document lapses. Consult your US immigration counsel alongside your passport agent in this scenario. Mirabello Consultancy works with affiliated immigration legal partners to coordinate both processes.

How do I start my CBI passport renewal with a name change through Mirabello Consultancy?

The simplest first step is to book a free consultation with our team. During that call, we will confirm your country's specific requirements, assess your document readiness, provide a firm timeline and cost estimate, and assign a dedicated case manager. Mirabello Consultancy is an IMC member and ACAMS certified, with 250+ CBI cases and 1,500+ passport renewals completed — including complex name-change and family renewal scenarios across all six jurisdictions.