General information

Since 1 November 2018 it has been possible to change the order of your forenames from that which was specified by your parents when they registered your birth.

Please be aware that it is still not possible to change the spelling of your forenames, add new forenames or drop forenames.

Note:

It is up to you to decide whether you wish to change the order of your forenames. Once the process of changing the order of your forenames is complete, you can have the order of your forenames altered on official documents (passport, certificates etc.). You can of course ask people to call you whatever you like, regardless of the declaration.

Changing the order of your forenames can only be done once and is irrevocable.

What documents are required?

If you want to start preparing what you need for your application, please first read our information about the process involved here.

If you wish to file a declaration to change the order of your forenames, the following documents are normally required:

• Cover letter
• The form Declaration on changing the order of forenames fully and legibly filled in - please write normally (not block capitals) and do not sign the form.
• Valid German passport or identity card and other passports, if applicable (the ID page of the passports is all that is needed) and, for Germans who do not also possess British citizenship, proof of residential status in the United Kingdom
• Birth certificate
• Proof of residence in the United Kingdom (e.g. council tax bill or utility bill)
• Certificate of deregistration from Germany or an up-to-date registration certificate from your (last) German place of residence, if applicable
• German marriage certificate, if applicable
• Translations of all foreign-language documents (not usually required in the case of international multilingual or English-language birth and marriage certificates)

How do I submit my application?

PLAIN COPIES (not the originals!) of the documents listed must be sent BY POST to the Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Edinburgh before you book an appointment. Click here for details of what the process involves.

The originals of the documents listed above only need to be presented at your appointment.

Additional documents may be required, depending on the case, and the registry office may ask you for them after you have submitted your application. In particular, you may be asked for German translations of documents (including English-language ones). In addition, apostilles are increasingly being required on foreign documents. Click here for information on applying for apostilles on British documents.

You can find further guidance on name declarations (processing time, fees) here.