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Name: Change of name for adult children

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I am of legal age and would like to change the birth name that my parents gave me. 

I would like to rearrange the order of my first names. My first name is in second place. I would like my first name to come first.

		    


                					    

						    

							    Competent Department
						    

						    
					    

                        
					    

						    

							    Basic information
						    

						    

							    

								    
From May 1, 2025, there will be new options for adults to change the maiden name that they acquired as a minor child: 

Change of maiden name after divorce of parents/death of one parent and if the parents' married name is revoked during an existing marriage 

If the parents had a married name, the child was given this married name as a minor child and one parent took on the maiden name again after the marriage was dissolved, the child may join this name change with the consent of the parent concerned and 

use the new name of this parent 

or 

use a double name consisting of the previous maiden name and the new name of this parent 

This also applies if the parents had the married name determined before 01.05.2025 and return to using separate names. 

Acquiring the married name of a parent and stepparent (single name) 

If a parent is married to someone who is not a parent of the child (stepparent) and they have a married name, the child can be given this married name if the parent and stepparent agree. A double name can also be formed from the previous birth name and the married name (with or without a hyphen). 

Revocation of the acquisition of the married name of a parent and step-parent (renaming) 

If the marriage of the parent and step-parent has been dissolved or the child has left the joint household, the child can revoke the renaming and return to the previous birth name. The parents' consent is not required. 

Deletion of parts of names with multiple names 

If the birth name consists of several names, all but one name can be deleted. The parents' consent is not required. 

Changing the name if the name of only one parent is used 

If the adult child has the name of one parent, they can replace it with the name of the other parent or form a double name from the names of the parents if the other parent consents. Only the names that the parents had at the time of the child's birth are available. 

Deleting or adding a hyphen to a double name 

If the adult child already has a double name, an existing hyphen can be deleted or a missing hyphen added. The parents' consent is not required. 

Joining in with the determination/change of the parents' married name 

If the parents have only determined or changed a married name when the child comes of age, the child can join in with this name change and also use the parents' new married name. The parents' consent is not required. 

Changing the name that was changed by an adult adoption 

If you were adopted as an adult before 01.05.2025, you were given the name of the adoptive parents. This name change can be reversed and you can use your previous birth name again or a double name formed from the previous birth name and the adopted name.  

Change of name if a double name could not be formed from a chain of names or proper name after naturalization 

If the names were adapted to German law after naturalization and a one-part family name was formed from the chain of names or proper names, but a two-part name was actually desired, a two-part name may now be formed from the original names. 

Changing the order of first names 

Persons who bear their name under German law and have several first names can change the order of their first names. The addition or omission of first names and hyphens is not permitted. The spelling of individual names cannot be changed either. 

It is not possible to show all the options for changing names here. Special name changes can be requested from the registry office.

								    

									    Requirements
  • The person making the declaration must be of legal age and have acquired the current birth name as a minor child (exception: the name acquired as a minor child can also be revoked in the case of renaming).
  • Depending on the type of name change, parental consent may be required.
  • If the adult child is married and the name to be changed is the married name, the other spouse must consent to the name change if the married name is also to be changed.
								    
What documents do I need?
    
    
  • Current excerpt from the child's birth register        
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  • If applicable, current extract from the marriage register of the parents or stepparents        
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  • Identity card or passport of the declarant        
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