Name: Subsequent determination of a common civil partnership name after the establishment of the civil partnership in Germany

If a joint civil partnership name was not determined when the civil partnership was established and the civil partnership still exists, the joint declaration for the determination of a civil partnership name can be made up.

Possibilities

• Determination of a civil partnership name (= common family name)
  One of the birth names of the civil partners or a family name used up to the establishment of the civil partnership can be determined as the civil partnership name. As long as the civil partnership exists, a revocation of the jointly determined civil partnership name is not possible.
• Determination of a double name
  If a joint civil partnership name has been determined, the person whose name has not become the civil partnership name may prefix or append his or her maiden name or the family name used until the civil partnership name was determined to the civil partnership name. The double name is connected by hyphen.
  Adding a name is not possible if the jointly determined civil partnership name already consists of several names.
  If the name to be prefixed or added to the civil partnership name consists of several names, only one of these names can be added.
• Revocation of the double name
  The declaration on the prefixing or addition may be revoked at any time by publicly authenticated declaration. A new addition is then no longer possible.
• Re-adoption of a previously used name
  After dissolution of the registered civil partnership, the birth name or the surname used until the civil partnership name was determined can be re-adopted. This declaration is irrevocable.

What documents do I need?

• Current certified copy of the civil partnership register
• Valid identity card or passport