According to Art. 58 part 2 of the Law of the Russian Federation “About Certificates of Civil Statutes” a name can be changed by a civil records office locate at the place of applicant's residence or at the place of birth registration of a person changing his/her name. According to Art. 60 part 3 of the abovementioned law, upon receipt of a name change application a civil records office shall require copies of registrations of acts of civil status from a civil records office at the place of storage thereof. You shall receive a written refusal and appeal it in accordance with the established order.