General information

There are differences between British and German naming law. German documents (e.g. passports) can only be issued in the name that you bear under German law. In most cases, a change of name is requested in connection with an event affecting someone’s civil status (e.g. marriage or divorce). Further information on civil-law name declaration options in connection with marriage, birth or the dissolution of a marriage, or in the case of naturalisation can be found at: Naming law and name declarations

If, in a particular case, the desired name change cannot be accomplished via one of these name declaration routes under civil law, it is possible to file an application for an (official) change of name under public law in line with the German Change of Name Act (Namensänderungsgesetz - NamÄndG).

In what cases is a change of name under public law a possibility?

A German can only change their surname or forename upon application if there is an important reason for doing so. For instance, a change of name is not possible if the only reason for it is that the person does not like their existing name, or that another name would sound better or be easier to pronounce.

Only the competent authority in Germany can decide whether there is an important reason, as defined by the Change of Name Act, for the desired name change. Therefore, German missions abroad are not able to provide any advice in such cases.

Change of name by deed poll

In the United Kingdom it is possible to change your forename and/or surname at any time by deed poll (unenrolled or enrolled). The change of name does not necessarily have to have been preceded by a specific event (such as a divorce or marriage).

A change of name by deed poll under British law without any recognisable connection to an event in family law is not recognised in Germany.

Therefore, if you have changed your forename and/or surname or that of your minor-age child by deed poll, please be aware that your name/ your child’s name has not changed under German law. Only the competent authority in Germany can advise you as to whether, in this case, an application for a change of name under public law would have any prospect of success. The Embassy cannot give an opinion on this crucial question.

Competent authority in Germany for name changes

The authority responsible for handling and deciding on applications for a change of forename or surname under public law is the lowest administrative authority (as a rule, the local or municipal authority or district administration/ registry office)

• in your permanent or habitual place of residence in Germany.

If you are currently not/ no longer living in Germany, then:

• in your last permanent or habitual place of residence in Germany.

If you have never lived in Germany, then:

• in the permanent or habitual place of residence in Germany of the last ancestor of yours to have lived in Germany.

Important: You do not need to be currently domiciled in Germany in order to apply (see section 5 (1) NamÄndG in conjunction with No. 16 (1) NamÄndVwV).

How do I go about applying for a change of name under public law?

If there are important reasons which, in your view, would justify a change of name, please contact the authority that would deal with your application (see above) directly. Contact details of the relevant authority can usually be found simply by searching online for the terms “öffentlich-rechtliche Namensänderung + city”.

You can ask the authority directly whether it can provide you with an application form, and what documents you need to submit with your application. You can also take the opportunity to ask about your application’s prospects of success and how long the process takes.

You are not legally required to have your signature on the application authenticated, so you can send the application directly to the relevant authority. All further communications between you and the authority also take place directly.

The German missions in the United Kingdom do not offer a translation service. Should you require translations into German for the application or for communicating with the relevant authority, please contact a translation agency (e.g. through the Chartered Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting).

Important: The German Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Edinburgh do not accept applications themselves. Because only the authorities in Germany are competent to decide in these matters, we are also unable to provide any information as to whether your application has any chance of success. Please address your questions directly to the relevant authority in Germany.

What documents are required?

Please enquire with the relevant authority what documents need to be sent in with your application. The authorities usually require the documents to be sent as authenticated copies.

If you need authenticated copies of your documents, you can have these done by our Legalisation desk at the German Embassy in London.
However, please be aware that we are not able to authenticate your signature, and nor is the Legalisation desk able to forward your application to the German authority.

Most of our Honorary Consuls are also able to authenticate copies of documents. You can find contact details for our Honorary Consuls here.

If the registry office needs a police clearance certificate for the application, you can find information on this here.

Fees

Fees differ from one federal Land to another, and can be up to €1500 depending on the type of name change (change of surname and/or forename).

Only the relevant authority can provide reliable information on the exact fees.

The charges incurred for the process must be paid directly to the relevant administrative authority. Payments cannot be processed by the German mission abroad.

A fee is also charged for authentication of copies and/or for a police clearance certificate.

Further information