Surname - change back to maiden name
Your way to the application
As a rule, the registry office of your place of residence is responsible.
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Why should I specify a location?
With the help of the location information, we can display the information, forms and services suitable for you and your responsible office.
Which location should I specify?
For example, your place of residence if you want to apply for a passport or the company location if you want to register a business.
- Passport or identity card,
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In case of a visit to the registry office which keeps the marriage register additionally:
- ...a final decree of divorce..,
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additionally in case of a visit to another registry office:
- certified printout from the marriage register and the final divorce decree, or
- certified printout from the marriage register with registered divorce.
You will also need an informal declaration that you wish to take back your birth name. Ask your local contact point in advance whether you need to bring a notarized copy of this declaration with you.
Certification of the required documents usually incurs fees.
The costs for the re-adoption of the birth name vary depending on the point of contact.
Note: If the change is successful, subsequent costs will be incurred as you will have to reapply for documents such as an ID card or passport.
Simply explained
You have divorced or ended your civil partnership and would like to change your name? If your maiden name or name before marriage or civil partnership was not your family name (married name or partnership name), you have the following options:
- You can revert to your maiden name or the name you used until your married name was determined.
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You may prefix or append the following names to the married name:
- Your maiden name or
- the name used at the time of the declaration on the determination of the married name.
- You can discard a companion name prefixed or appended during the marriage.
What requirements must be met?
- Divorce or
- Cancellation of civil partnership
Frequently asked questions and answers
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