Surname Change due to the declaration on the use of the name of life partners (civil partnership name)

If you live in a registered partnership, you can choose a common name (civil partnership name).

Life partners may determine a common civil partnership name during the existence of the registered civil partnership, provided that they have not already done so when establishing the civil partnership. The life partner whose name does not become a civil partnership name may prefix or add his/her birth name or the name used at that time to the civil partnership name.  

The name from a previous civil partnership, including a possible accompanying name, can also be considered as an actual name.

Once you have chosen, you may not change the common civil partnership name during the existence of the civil partnership.

Foreign life partners are generally subject to the naming rights of their home country. If one of the partners has his habitual residence in Germany, there is a right to choose between the law of the state to which the foreign partner belongs and German law.

Please contact the registry office.

• Identity card
• Civil partnership certificate

You live in a registered civil partnership

If you have any questions about the possibilities of naming during the existence of a registered civil partnership, please contact the registry office.

Fees of 23.50 euros are charged for the certification of the declaration, unless the municipality has set a different fee by statute.

There are several ways to explain the name. In some cases, special features must also be taken into account (e.g. for the naming of foreign partners or if there are children born before the civil partnership). Therefore, seek advice from the registry office in these cases.