Namensänderung aus wichtigem Grund beantragen

• Gesetz über die Änderung von Familiennamen und Vornamen
• Erste Verordnung zur Durchführung des Gesetzes über die Änderung von Familiennamen und Vornamen
• Verordnung der Sächsischen Staatsregierung über die Zuständigkeiten nach dem Gesetz über die Änderung von Familiennamen und Vornamen
• § 45 a Personenstandsgesetz (PStG) – Erklärung zur Reihenfolge der Vornamen
• Sächsisches Kostenverzeichnis (SächsKVZ), Lfd. Nr. 75 Personenstandsrecht, öffentliches Namensrecht

If there is an important reason, you can have your surname or first name changed. However, this option is limited to very exceptional cases.

There are also a number of other reasons that can lead to name changes, such as marriage and divorce. These processes are not affected by the following explanations.

In particular, you will need

• valid identification document (e.g. ID or passport)
• if the authorisation to apply is based on a special status (e.g. as a person entitled to asylum): Presentation of the corresponding document
• Proof of residence or habitual abode (e.g. identity card, registration certificate)
• Notarised printout from the birth register of the applicant and all persons to whom the change of surname is to apply
• Certificate of good conduct for persons who have reached the age of 14
• If applicable: certificate of marriage or civil partnership
• Declaration as to whether you have already applied for a change of surname, if applicable: details of the authority concerned and the decision it made
• If applicable: proof of income (if required for the assessment of fees)
• Depending on the individual case, the name change authority may request further documents.

• You have German citizenship or are entitled to asylum, a foreign refugee, stateless, homeless or a quota refugee.
• You live or usually reside in Germany.
• There is an important reason that justifies the name change. An important reason may exist, for example, if
  
  • the name sounds offensive or ridiculous
  • the name causes significant difficulties in spelling or pronunciation

The name change must not give a false impression of family connections.

Note: If the order of the first names in the machine-readable zone of the newly issued electronic ID card differs from that in the previously valid ID card, this is generally not considered an important reason for the change. However, it is possible to change the order of the first names in the birth certificate at the Standesamt (registry office).

• Change of surname: EUR 20.00 to 1150 per person
• Change of a first name: EUR 10.00 to 600.00
• In the case of destitute applicants in individual cases: free of charge

The actual fee depends on the administrative effort involved and the significance of the name change for the applicant. If the application is withdrawn or rejected, one tenth to one half of the fee will be charged.

• Apply for the name change in writing to the name change authority.
• Explain your reasons in detail in your application.

The name change authority will involve various authorities, for example the police if you are over 14 years old. It will also obtain information from the debtor register, from the local court and, if necessary, from other authorities.

Please note

• If another person is involved in addition to you (for example, the other parent when changing the name of a child after the parents have divorced), you will initially only receive a notification of the name change. This will state that you must wait for the decision to become final. The decision will also be sent to the person involved, including instructions on how to appeal. The name change becomes effective in these cases if the other person involved accepts the name change or the appeal authority or the courts confirm it.

As soon as the name change is effective (the decision has not been contested within the deadline), you will receive a certificate showing the name change. You will then have to change various documents yourself (e.g. identity card, passport, driving licence, vehicle registration document). The Amt24 information on changing your name after marriage will help you with this.

The name change authority will inform other authorities of the name change:

• the Meldebehörde (registration office)
• the Standesamt that keeps the register of births
• the Standesamt that keeps the marriage register (if the married couple's married name is changed or established)
• the Standesamt that keeps the civil partnership register (if the civil partnership name is changed or established)