WHEN IT COMES TO NAMES...

Getting an NBI clearance often comes with the frustration of sharing a name with someone else. Similarly, brokers encounter comparable challenges during title transfers when names don't match exactly. To help you avoid these issues, here are some tips for minimizing these headaches:

1. Always use the full spelling of names on official documents.

When filling out forms such as birth certificates, government ID applications, and marriage certificates, avoid abbreviations. For instance, always spell out “Maria” instead of writing it as “Ma.”

Discrepancies between the name on your title and your IDs can lead to questions about your identity. This issue becomes even more challenging if you can’t produce at least two IDs where the names are consistently spelled.

2. Double-check the spelling of your name on property titles.

Ensure your name on property titles matches your IDs exactly, down to the punctuation.

I’ve encountered cases where titles had missing second names (e.g., “Ferlyn A. Patag” vs. “Ferlyn Andrea A. Patag”) or inconsistencies in the use of dashes (e.g., “Boy 1 A. Patag” vs. “Boy-1 A. Patag"). Such discrepancies can delay or complicate transactions.

3. Be mindful when choosing names with suffixes.

Avoid giving children suffixes like “III” or “Jr.” if possible. These suffixes are often written in varying formats—for example, “Jobert Allen III A. Patag” vs. “Jobert Allen A. Patag III.”

Foreign institutions sometimes omit these suffixes entirely, leading to names that don’t match official documents like birth certificates. If you do use suffixes, ensure they’re consistently placed after the first or middle name (e.g., “Jobert Allen III Patag”).

This is particularly important because passports, a common requirement for real estate transactions, format names as follows:

Last Name: Patag

First Name: Jobert Allen III

Middle Name: Arambulo

While you can always sign an “Affidavit of One and the Same Person” to address discrepancies, it’s much easier to avoid the issue altogether by standardizing names from the start.

By following these tips, you can save yourself from unnecessary stress and ensure smoother transactions in the future.