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  • Name: Change of name during marriage/life partnership and after dissolution of marriage/life partnership

Name: Change of name during marriage/life partnership and after dissolution of marriage/life partnership

  • Partnerschaft und Familie
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We would like to have a joint (double) name. I/We would like to change the name we used during the marriage. I would like to take my maiden name again. I would like to have a double name.

		    


                					    

						    

							    Competent Department
						    

						    
					    

                        
					    

						    

							    Basic information
						    

						    

							    

								    
Determination of a married name (= joint family name) 

If no joint married name was determined at the time of the marriage and the marriage still exists, the joint declaration to determine a married name can be made at a later date. The spouses can choose a married name from their maiden names or the surnames used until the married name was chosen 

From 01.05.2025 


  • The married name can be determined as a joint double name - with or without a hyphen.

If the marriage exists and a married name is already being used:  


  • The married name can be redefined as a joint double name - with or without a hyphen.
  • The married name determined before 01.05.2025 can be revoked.

Determination of a double name for a spouse 

The person whose name has not become the married name can add their maiden name or the surname used until the determination of the married name in front of or to the married name. The double name is joined by a hyphen and may only consist of two names. 

From 01.05.2025: 


  • Double name with or without hyphen

Revocation of the double name for a spouse 

The declaration of prefixing or suffixing can be revoked at any time. It is not possible to re-define a double name. A jointly determined double name cannot be revoked. 

Reassumption of a previously used name 

After dissolution of the marriage, the maiden name or the surname used up to the determination of the married name can be reassumed. This declaration is irrevocable.

								    								    
What documents do I need?
    
    
  • Identity card or passport        
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  • Birth certificates of the joint children        
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  • If applicable, proof of the dissolution of the marriage (divorce decree, death certificate)        
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  • For marriages in Germany:        
    • Current certified copy of the marriage register, if the marriage was not concluded at the registry office where the declaration is made.
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  • For marriages abroad:        
    • Current original marriage certificate (multilingual or with translation in Germany), if necessary with apostille and legalization by the German embassy (please ask what is required)
    • Current birth certificates of the spouses
    • If this is not your first marriage: marriage certificate of the previous marriage and proof of the dissolution of the marriage (divorce decree or death certificate)
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