What is my current name under German law?

The name of a German national is generally governed by the law that was in force at the time of their birth. The legal situation has changed frequently, may keep changing, and some elements are subject to different interpretations.

If you possess a German birth certificate or a name certificate, your legal name is the one that appears on the German birth certificate or on the name certificate issued by the German registry office, if you have not changed it.

The name that appears on your German passport has to be your current name under German law. If you have never had a German birth certificate or name certificate, the following applies:

1.If your parents were not married at the time of your birth

At birth, you automatically acquired the surname your mother was bearing at the time of your birth.

If your mother changed her name after you were born, your parents got married after you were born and chose a joint married name, or your parents already submitted name declarations for you or minor siblings, please contact us first using our contact form. We can then advise you whether the name specified might also apply to you.

Also, if you were born before 1 September 1986, different legislation might apply to you. If you have any questions, you can contact us using our contact form.

2.If your parents were married at the time of your birth and have or had a joint married name

Your birth name is your parents’ married name. Under German law, the parents’ joint married name automatically extends to any children born in wedlock, regardless of their age. The same is true if your parents opted for a joint married name after you were born.

If your parents declared a married name when marrying outside of Germany, please enquire with us first using our contact form as to whether it is recognised as a married name under German law. We will then advise you whether you need to file a name declaration before applying for a passport.

3.If your parents were married at the time of your birth but use different surnames

Under the German law in force until 1 May 2025, you may at first have no surname (or name at birth) until you submit a name declaration.

If, under German law, you had no surname prior to 1 May 2025, the Federal Foreign Office’s understanding is that the new law is applicable. This means that, when the new naming law came into force on 1 May 2025, you automatically acquired the surname that appears on your foreign (e.g. British) birth certificate. Other German authorities may take a different view, however. In such cases we advise that it is essential to retrospectively register the birth in order to obtain legal certainty and avoid problems with future passport applications. Detailed information on registering a birth can be found here.

Please note: A surname already acquired under German law will not change as a result of the new law. Please contact us before applying for a passport, if:

• Your parents opted for a joint married name retrospectively
• You lived in Germany for longer than one month as a minor
• Your parents submitted a name declaration for you or your siblings when you were still a minor

If, in addition, you were born before 1 September 1986 and maybe do not yet have a German passport or German birth certificate, different legislation might apply to you. If you have any questions, you can contact us using our contact form.

I wish to change my current surname. What options do I have with a name declaration?

Following the changes to German naming law, as of 1 May 2025 you have the one-off opportunity to choose a new birth name. The name declaration is binding and cannot be reversed.

Choices under German law

The following options are available, among others, if you wish to choose a new birth name:

• Compound surname consisting of the surnames your parents were bearing at the time of your birth (either hyphenated or unhyphenated, but not more than two name components)
• Your parents’ married name, if you did not already acquire it
• Complete surname of your mother or father (at the time of your birth)
• Go from a compound surname to a single surname

Other types of declaration are possible. There are a few types of declaration that require a parent’s consent under certain circumstances. If you have any questions, you can contact us using our contact form.

Choices under foreign law

Choosing foreign law is only an option if you hold another nationality in addition to German nationality.

Please submit proof that the desired name is possible under foreign law (e.g. if available, a passport or birth certificate issued by the country whose law you wish to choose).

Important note on changes of name by deed poll:

Changes of name by deed poll that are unrelated to any event in family law remain invalid under German law.

If your birth was registered in a European Union member state and this state is still a European Union member state, please contact us first using our Contact form.

What documents are required?

If you would like to start preparing your application, please read our information about the process involved and appointment booking here.
Should you wish to file a name declaration, the following documents are required:

• Cover letter
• Name declaration form for an adult child, fully and legibly filled in - please write normally (not block capitals) and do not sign the form yet. On page 2 of the form, you may only enter the desired name!
• Valid passports of the adult child (the ID page of the passports is all that is needed); and if you hold German but not British citizenship, proof of residential status in the United Kingdom
• Proof of the German citizenship of the adult child, e.g. certificate of naturalisation or certificate of nationality of the adult child or of a parent, German identity document of a parent (parent’s German passport or identity card valid at the time of the child’s birth)
  Note: If you do not have proof of this kind, before you apply to file a name declaration, please contact our citizenship team using the contact form: Citizenship
• Adult child’s birth certificate – in the case of British certificates it is the long version that is needed, which also includes the names of the parents
• Valid passports or ID card of both parents
• Birth certificates of both parents
• Parents’ marriage certificate
• Decree absolute if a parent was divorced before you were born, if need be with proof the divorce is recognised under German law. Please see the guidance on the recognition of foreign divorces on the following page: Marriage matters
• Translations of all foreign-language documents (not usually required in the case of international multilingual or English-language birth and marriage certificates)
• 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
  

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.