Change last name after divorce in plain language

Are you divorced?

Or has your life partner relationship ended?

And you want to go back to the name you had at birth?

Then you can change your name.

• What is your birth name?
• What can you change after the divorce?
• What do you have to do?
• Where do you make the declaration?
• What do you need?
• What does it cost?
• Where can you get help and advice?

The birth name is your surname at birth.

The name is on your birth certificate.

You may have taken the name
of your partner during the marriage.

This is called a married name.

After the divorce, you can

• retake your maiden name
• or use the name you had before the marriage.

You can also have a double name.

This means:
You put your birth name before or after your married name.

Perhaps you had a double name when you were married.

You can then discard the double name.

You must submit a written declaration.

The letter is informal.

This means:
There are no rules for the letter.

The statement says:
You want to change your name.

The declaration must be notarized.

This means:
The registrar confirms:

The declaration is correct.

Important:
If you make the declaration at the registry office,
you do not need a notary.

You can submit the declaration to any registry office.

It is best to contact the registry office in your place of residence.

You can get more information there.

The registry office is usually located in the council building or in the citizens' office.

You will need documents for the application.

For example:

• Personal ID or passport
• Your divorce decree

The registry office may need further proof.

For example:

• A notarized printout from the marriage register with the divorce recorded

It's best to ask.

The declaration to the registry office costs money.

How much money does it cost?

This varies from city to city.

Important:
After the change, you must apply for new documents.

For example:

• Personal ID card or passport
• Driver's license

These documents also cost money.

Do you have any questions?

Then the registry office in your city can help.

Don't know which registry office is responsible?

Then search the Internet for:

"Registry office + your place of residence".

Or call the authority number.

The telephone number is 115.