Changing a child's surname by a parent with sole custody

You can have your child's name changed to the surname of the other parent (name change).

• The declaration of the child's name change can be submitted to any registry office. The effectiveness of the name declaration submitted will be 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. The sole custodial parent, the non-custodial parent and, if the child is over 14 years old, the child must also appear in person at the registry office for the name to be granted.

The declaration of the child's name change can be submitted to any registry office. The effectiveness of the name declaration submitted will be 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.

• You have sole custody,
• Consent of the other parent,
• if your child is 5 years or older: consent of the child.

• Child's birth certificate
• Identity cards or passports,
• Negative certificate from the youth welfare office,

Further documents may be required in individual cases. You can ask for these at the registry office.

The granting of a name costs €25.00 in Thuringia. A newly issued birth certificate showing the change of name costs €10.00.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs

30.08.2022