Changing Your Last Name After Marriage in Easy-to-Understand Language

Are you getting married?

Then you can decide:

What last name would you like to use?

You may want to change your name later. 

In that case, you’ll need to go to the registry office.

• What are the name options? 
• When can you change the name? 
• Where do you submit the application? 
• What do you need to do this? 
• How much does it cost? 
• Where can you get help?

After getting married, there are several options.

For example: 

• Shared Last Name
  
  You choose a shared last name. 
  
  Then both people have the same last name.

• Individual Last Names
  
  Both people keep their last names.

• Double Surname
  
  A person may have a double surname. 
  
  This means:
  The person has their previous last name plus the shared last name. 
  
  The second name can come before or after the shared last name.

• Double surname as a shared last name
  
  This means:
  Both partners have two last names.
  
  The order doesn’t matter. 
  
  And you can choose:
  Should the names be written with a hyphen or without?

Important for Children

Do both parents keep their own last names?

Then the parents must decide when their first child is born:

What last name should the child have? 

This last name applies to all subsequent children.

Important for foreign names

Perhaps a person comes from another country. 

In that case, special rules may apply.

Check with the civil registry office.

You can change your last name:

• upon marriage
• or later

You must submit the application to the civil registry office.

The civil registry office in your place of residence is responsible for processing your application.

For example, you will need:

• Your ID card or passport
• possibly your marriage certificate

You may need additional documents. 

Check with the civil registry office.

There's no cost to get married.

Are you planning to change your name later?

If so, there will be a fee.

How much does it cost?

You can ask at the registry office.

Do you have questions?

If so, the civil registry office can help.

Not sure which civil registry office is responsible?

Then search online for:

“Registry Office + Place of Residence”

Or you can call the government information line.

The phone number is 115.

There you can get general information.