Name Change in Germany — Process, Costs, and Reasons

When Can I Change My Name?

In Germany, a Namensänderung (name change) is not simple — you need a valid reason. This is because your name serves for identification and should not be changed arbitrarily.

There are two types of Namensänderung:

1. Private law Namensänderung — upon marriage, divorce, or adoption (through Standesamt, relatively simple)
2. Public law Namensänderung — for other reasons (through Standesamt or the name change authority, more difficult)

Private Law Namensänderung — Automatic Occasions

Upon Marriage

• You can adopt your partner's name as your married name
• Double name possible (e.g., Müller-Schmidt)
• Both can retain their names
• Application at the Standesamt when registering the marriage

Upon Divorce

• You can resume your birth name
• Or retain your married name
• Or resume a former married name
• Application at the Standesamt after the divorce

Upon Adoption

• Minors: automatically receive the adoptive parents' name
• Adults: Namensänderung possible upon request

For Children

• Einbenennung: stepchild receives the new spouse's name (§ 1618 BGB) — consent of both biological parents required
• Change of family name for unmarried parents' children possible

Public Law Namensänderung — Valid Reasons

If you want to change your name without marriage/divorce/adoption, you need a valid reason (§ 3 NamÄndG):

Recognized Reasons

• Psychological distress caused by the name (e.g., offensive, ridiculous, hard to pronounce)
• Gender reassignment — for transgender individuals (since 2024 also possible via Selbstbestimmungsgesetz)
• Severe psychological distress caused by the old name (e.g., due to violence, stalking, abuse)
• Religious conversion — if the old name doesn't fit the new faith
• Integration — adapting a foreign name to German spelling or choosing a German name

Insufficient Reasons

• "I simply don't like my name"
• Fashion reasons (celebrity name, etc.)
• Simple dislike of the surname
• Family conflicts alone (without special distress)

Special Case: Foreign Names

Foreigners have easier conditions:

• Angleichungserklärung (§ 94 BVFG) — you can adapt your name to German spelling (e.g., latinize Cyrillic or Arabic names)
• Naturalization — during naturalization, you can adapt your name or choose a German name
• Hard-to-pronounce names — shortening or simplification is possible if the name causes problems in everyday German life

How Do I Apply for a Namensänderung?

Responsible Authority

• Standesamt — for Namensänderung upon marriage, divorce, birth
• Namensänderungsbehörde (name change authority) — for public law changes (usually the Standesamt or Ordnungsamt of your city)
• Court — for disputes or rejections

Required Documents

• ID card or passport + residence permit
• Birth certificate (current, not older than 6 months)
• Residence certificate
• Justification — written explanation of the valid reason
• Supporting documents — e.g., psychological assessment, police report, medical certificate
• If previously married: Marriage certificate and divorce judgment
• Consent declaration of spouse (for name changes of married persons)
• For children: Consent of both parents (and child from age 5)

Process

1. Consultation at the Standesamt/Namensänderungsbehörde
2. Submit application with all documents
3. Review by the authority (possibly hearing third parties: spouse, police)
4. Decision — approval or rejection (processing time: 2–12 months)
5. Implementation — update ID documents, accounts, contracts with new name

Costs

Fees for public law Namensänderung depend on your income and the difficulty of the case.

What Must I Do After the Namensänderung?

Immediately

• ID card and passport — apply for new ones
• Residence permit — update (Immigration Office)
• Residence certificate — update (Registration Office)
• Tax ID — remains the same, but inform the tax office

Within a Few Weeks

• Bank — change account name, order new debit card
• Employer — notify of new name (payroll, social insurance)
• Health insurance — request new card
• Insurance policies — update all insurances
• Landlord — name plate, doorbell, rental agreement
• Postal service — set up mail forwarding (6 months, €28.90)

Later

• Driver's license — update Namensänderung (recommended)
• Vehicle registration — update registration document
• Diplomas/Certificates — usually the old name remains; reissuance is often possible
• Contracts — mobile phone contract, electricity contract, gym membership, etc.

Selbstbestimmungsgesetz (since November 2024)

Since November 1, 2024, the Selbstbestimmungsgesetz (SBGG) applies: transgender, intersex, and non-binary persons can change their gender entry and first name at the Standesamt — without expert assessment or court proceedings.

Process

1. Declaration at the Standesamt — in person, notify 3 months in advance
2. Self-certification — you declare that the change corresponds to your gender identity
3. Waiting period: 3 months between notification and declaration
4. Costs: approx. €30–50

Tips for Foreigners

1. Use Angleichungserklärung — simpler and cheaper than regular Namensänderung
2. During naturalization — adapt your name simultaneously (saves fees)
3. Documents from your home country — bring birth certificate with apostille and translation
4. Consultation — migration counseling can help with questions about name law

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.