Vorname ändern

You can apply for the change of your first name at the competent administrative authority if there is an important reason.

Under certain conditions, you can apply for a change of your first name. Such a name change has a chance of success if it is justified by the existence of an "important reason".

Good cause exists if the private interests of you as the bearer of the name, which are worthy of protection, in the change of name outweigh the following

• the public interest in retaining the previous name and
• the conflicting interests of other parties involved.

In the case of a change of first name, it should be noted that the public interest in retaining the previous name is to be rated lower than in the case of a change of surname.

• Registration certificate and valid official photo ID (identity card, passport)
• Extract from the register of births (available from the registry office of the place of birth).
• The application must include a statement as to whether you have previously applied for a change of name, if so, when and with which authority.
• You must declare that you are aware that the name change or the rejection or withdrawal of the application is subject to a fee.
• For persons who have reached the age of fourteen, a certificate of good conduct.

For further documents, please inquire in advance at the name change authority responsible for you.

• You are a German citizen, stateless person, homeless foreigner or foreign refugee and person entitled to asylum.
• Presentation of an important reason that allows your interest worthy of protection to outweigh the conflicting interests of other parties involved as well as the public interest in retaining your previous name.

A fee range of between €2.50 and €255.00 is provided for the public-law change of a first name. The amount of the fee is set by the name change authority and depends on the administrative effort. Fees may also be incurred for the rejection or withdrawal of the application.

• Submit an application to the relevant administrative authority (municipality). Ask the competent authority in your municipality for the application form or download it and fill it out completely. For minors, the legal legal representative submits the application.
• In addition to stating the reason for the change, the competent municipal authority will require you to justify the change of name, further information about the applicant.
• If the requirements for a change of first name are met, the decision-making authority will issue a decision on the change of name; if they are not met, you must expect a rejection decision.
• After the successful completion of the procedure, you will be issued a certificate of the name change.
• The name change authority notifies other authorities of the name change. These include
  • the registration office,
  • the registry office that keeps your birth register,
  • the registry office that keeps your marriage or civil partnership register.

• First name change
• Change of name under public law
• Change only possible with:
  • important reason or
  • serious reasons for children between 1 and 16 years.
• Important reasons exist if the private, protectable interests of the name bearer in the change of name outweigh
  • the public interest or
  • a private interest of third parties in retaining the name.
• Prerequisite: Name must be subject to German law, which is the case for
  • German nationals,
  • persons entitled to asylum,
  • foreign refugees and stateless persons.
• Responsible: Name change authority of the place of residence, usually citizens' or registry office.

Please contact the relevant authority in your municipality to apply.

The authority responsible for the actual change of the first name is your county or city.

Forms: Application for name change (available for download on their website or upon request, depending on the responsible office).

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no