Name: Change of name for underage children

Granting the name of the other parent in the case of sole custody of one parent
If the child has the surname of a custodial parent, this parent can grant the child the name of the other non-custodial parent.
From 01.05.2025: The child can also be given a double name consisting of the names of both parents (with or without a hyphen). The other parent must agree to the name change.

Changing the surname in the event of subsequent joint custody
If the parents establish joint custody (through a declaration of custody or marriage) when the child already has a name, this name can be changed. The child can be given the name of the other parent.
From 01.05.2025: The child can also be given a double name consisting of the names of both parents (with or without a hyphen). The name change must be submitted jointly by the parents.

Change of surname if paternity is established as non-existent
If it is legally established that a man whose name has become the child's surname is not the child's father, the name can be changed to the name that the mother had at the time of the child's birth at the mother's request.
From 01.05.2025: If the mother has several names, the child can be given only one of these names.

Connection to the determination/change of the parents' married name
If the parents subsequently determine a married name or change the married name, the child can join this name change and also use the parents' new married name. The name change must be submitted jointly by the parents.

Acquiring the married name of a parent and stepparent (single name)
If a parent is married to a person 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 child lives in the same household as the parent and stepparent. A double name can also be formed from the previous birth name and the married name (with or without a hyphen). The name declaration must be submitted by the parent and their new spouse. The other parent must consent to the change if the child bears their name and/or they have custody of the child.

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.

From May 1, 2025, there will be further options for changing the surname of a minor child:

Revocation of the acquisition of the married name of a parent and step-parent (re-naming)
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 single name and revert to the previous birth name. The name change must be submitted by one of the custodial parents.

Change of maiden name after divorce of parents/death of a parent
If the parents had a married name which the minor child also has and one parent has taken on the maiden name again after the marriage has ended, the child can join this name change if it lives in the same household as this parent and this parent has custody of the child. The child can be given the new name of this parent or a double name consisting of the previous birth name and the new name of this parent. The other parent must consent to the name change.

Change of name if the parents' married name is revoked during an existing marriage
If the parents revoke the married name determined before 01.05.2025 during an existing marriage and return to using separate names, the child can be given a double name formed from the names of both parents (with or without a hyphen). It is not possible to change to the name of the other parent.

Changing the name if the name of only one parent is used
If a child was born before 01.05.2025 and the parents do not have a joint married name, the child's name can be changed to a double name formed from the names of both parents (with or without a hyphen). A change from the name of one parent to the name of the other parent is not possible (exception: in the case of subsequent joint custody, see above).

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

Requirements

• The child must be a minor.
• Depending on the age of the child, the child's consent may be required.

What documents do I need?

• Current excerpt from the child's birth register (if the child was not born in Bremen)
• If applicable, current extract from the marriage register of the parents or stepparents
• If applicable, declaration of custody or certificate of non-delivery of declarations of custody
• Identity card or passport of the declarant