Name: Subsequent determination of a common married name after marriage in Germany

If a common married name was not determined at the time of marriage and the marriage still exists, the joint declaration to determine a married name can be made up.
Possibilities:

• Determination of a married name (= common family name)
  One of the birth names of the spouses or a family name used until the marriage can be determined as the married name. As long as the marriage exists, a revocation of the jointly determined married name is not possible.
• Determination of a double name
  If a joint married name has been determined, the person whose name has not become the married name may prefix or append his or her maiden name or the family name used until the determination of the married name to the married name. The double name shall be connected by hyphen.
  Adding a name is not possible if the jointly determined married name already consists of several names.
  If the name to be prefixed or added to the married 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 the dissolution of the marriage, the maiden name or the surname used until the determination of the married name may be re-adopted. This declaration is irrevocable.

What documents do I need?

• Current certified copy of the marriage register, unless the marriage was contracted at the registry office where the declaration of re-admission is made.
• Valid identity card or passport