by baby&familyNaming Law
Changing a Child's Name: Requirements, Costs, and Process
After birth, it sometimes turns out that your child's registered first name or last name no longer fits your life situation. Whether due to a later marriage, a separation, or because you are unhappy in hindsight with the choice of first name. This article explains the current legal requirements for changing a child's name in Germany, what costs you should expect, and what the process looks like at the responsible authorities.
Which Legal Options Are Available
Different legal bases come into question for a name change in Germany. The decisive factors are the reason, the requested change, and the child's personal situation.
Declarations under the German Civil Code (BGB): For specific family changes, the BGB provides options for changing the birth name. Depending on the provision, further requirements and consents are necessary. The registry office (Standesamt) can clarify which rule fits your situation.
Public-law name change: Under the German Act on the Change of Names (Namensänderungsgesetz), an important reason is required. Via Section 11, this also applies to first names. The responsible name change authority examines the individual case. In addition, there are special declaration pathways, such as for changing the order of first names and under the German Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz).
The Current Legal Framework for Surnames: Einbenennung
One of the most frequent situations for a name change is the so-called Einbenennung (name integration). This occurs when a parent remarries and the child living in that household is to take on the new married name. Naming law in Germany was recently reformed. The Act to Amend the Law on Spousal and Birth Names entered into force on May 1, 2025. Einbenennung is now regulated in Section 1617e BGB.
The consent of the other parent is required if the child bears their name or if that parent shares legal custody with the parent performing the Einbenennung. The family court can replace missing consent if the Einbenennung serves the best interests of the child. From the fifth birthday onward, the law also requires the child's consent. The legal representation and declaration rules must additionally be observed.
Typical Real-Life Situations
To make the abstract rules more tangible, concrete examples from the everyday lives of many families can help.
Situation 1: You want to change the first name
Sometimes parents regret their choice of first name. Perhaps you chose the name Lukas (Lukas goes back to the Greek name Loukas; the Latin word root means "originating from Lucania"). After a few months, you realize that you do not find the name fitting after all, or you would prefer to have the spelling Lucas with a C registered.
A mere change of personal taste does not justify an automatic first name change. For the path under the Namensänderungsgesetz, the authority must establish an important reason. If, by contrast, the matter concerns changing the gender entry and the first names determined for it, the Self-Determination Act provides for its own declaration procedure at the registry office. For minors, special rules regarding counseling, representation, and consent apply.
To prevent the need for a late change to a first name in the first place, you can use the HeyName app beforehand. There, you rate first names independently of each other as a favorite, maybe, or not a match. Names that both have marked as a favorite appear as mutual matches. This allows you to filter by length or starting letter and find a common ground that you both stand behind in the long run.
Situation 2: Changing the order of first names
In the case of multiple separate first names and the application of German naming law, their order can be changed by a publicly certified declaration at the registry office. Section 45a PStG does not permit changing the spelling, nor does it allow adding or omitting names. A hyphenated first name cannot be separated in this way. From age 14, a child with limited legal capacity submits the declaration themselves with the consent of their legal representation.
Situation 3: Subsequent joint custody
If joint custody is only established after the child already bears a name, you can redetermine the child's birth name under the prerequisites of Section 1617b BGB. The previous three-month deadline is no longer part of the current provision. The naming forms provided for under Section 1617 are possible; it is therefore not limited solely to changing to the father's name. From age five, the child must join in the naming declaration. Clarify the required declarations with the registry office.
Overview of the Process and Costs
If you are pursuing a name change, it is best to proceed step by step. The process differs depending on the legal basis.
- Clarify the procedure: Name declarations and changes under the SBGG pertain to the registry office. For an application under the Namensänderungsgesetz, contact the responsible name change authority. If in doubt, inquire first about the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Gather documents: You will generally need the child's birth certificate, your identity cards, proof of custody, and, in the case of Einbenennung, the marriage certificate.
- Schedule an advisory appointment: Because each case is individual, discuss your request in advance by phone or in person with the responsible caseworker.
The costs vary considerably:
- Name declarations: Ask the responsible registry office about the fees for the specific declaration, notarization, and new certificates.
- Administrative name change: Have the responsible authority explain which fee schedule applies and what costs may arise upon approval, rejection, or withdrawal. A blanket cost estimate across all German federal states and procedures would be misleading.
Three Common Questions Answered Briefly
Does the child have to agree to the name change?
That depends on the procedure. For an Einbenennung under Section 1617e BGB, the child's consent is required from age five onward; a mere hearing does not replace it. For a child with limited legal capacity from age 14, a personal declaration with the consent of the legal representation is provided for. Other procedures, such as under the SBGG, have their own rules.
How long does the procedure take?
Ask the responsible office about the timeline and the effective date. Missing consents, international registers, or further reviews can influence the processing time. A fixed duration cannot be deduced from the nature of the request alone.
Can we choose a completely new last name?
A declaration under the BGB rules described here only permits the naming forms specifically provided for by law. Whether a public-law name change is possible outside of this path must be examined separately by the name change authority. A freely invented desired name is not automatically permissible through this.
Individual Consultation Is Crucial
Discuss your case with the responsible office and state the exact reason, the existing names, and the custody arrangements. Inquire about consents, documents, deadlines, and fees for this specific procedure. This way, you avoid applying rules from a different family situation to your own.
Legal status as of: September 22, 2026.