Familienname Änderung

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

I would like to rearrange the order of my first names. My first name is in 2nd place. I would like my first name to come first.

From May 1, 2025, there will be new options for adults to change the birth name 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 of the parents took back the birth name after the marriage was dissolved, the child can join this name change with the consent of the parent concerned and

use the new name of that parent

or

have a double name consisting of the previous birth name and the new name of this parent

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

Acquisition of the married name of one parent and the 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 the stepparent (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 name and return to the previous maiden name. The parents' consent is not required.

Deletion of parts of names in the case of multi-part 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 create a double name from the names of the parents if the other parent agrees. Only the names that the parents had at the time of the child's birth are available.

Deletion or addition of a hyphen in the case of double names

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.

Connection to the determination/change of the parents' married name

If the parents have only chosen or changed a married name when the child reaches the age of majority, the child can follow this name change and also use the parents' new married name. The parents' consent is not required.

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 the 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.

• If applicable, current extract from the marriage register of the parents or stepparents
• Identity card or passport of the person making the declaration
• Current extract from the birth register of the child

• 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 child of legal age 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.

• The relevant declarations must be made in person at the registry office.
• An appointment is required for this.
• An appointment can be requested at the registry office using the "Change of name for adults" form.
• To change the order of first names, please use the "Change of order of first names" form.