Redetermine surname of the child

You can change the name of your child if you have declared joint custody with the other parent only after the birth.

• The declaration of the child's name change can be submitted to any registry office. The validity of the submitted name declaration is checked by the registry office that keeps the birth register for the child. From there you will receive a certificate of the name change or a new birth certificate.
• For the new determination of the child's family name, the custodial parent and, if the child is over 14 years old, also the child must appear in person at the registry office.

You can submit the declaration of your child's name change at any registry office. The validity of the submitted name declaration is checked by the registry office that keeps the birth register for the child. From there you will receive a certificate of the name change or a new birth certificate.

• Child already has a name
• joint custody of the parents is established only afterwards
• if the child is 5 years or older: consent of the child

• Child birth certificate (with official translation, if necessary)
• Identity cards or passports
• Marriage certificate or
• Proof of custody

In individual cases, further documents may be required. You can ask for these at the registry office.

The new determination of a child's surname costs €25.00 in Thuringia. A newly issued birth certificate showing the change of name costs €10.00.

The new birth name must be determined within 3 months after the establishment of joint custody of the child.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content per DeepL.

Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Local Affairs

30.08.2022