Harmonisation of the name with German law
If you have been recognised as a late repatriate through naturalisation or have chosen German law for your name, you can have your name adapted.
Description
If you have acquired a name in accordance with an applicable foreign law and your name is now governed by German law, this does not change the name you have used up to now. However, there may be problems with spelling or the allocation of name elements that are not recognised by German law. You can therefore adapt your name to a spelling that is customary in Germany or sort the names into first names and surnames. The declaration of assimilation and any declarations of consent that may be required must be officially certified or notarised at the registry office or by a notary.
Content and legal effects of the declaration of harmonisation
The declaration of assimilation irrevocably removes any previous function of the name components (e.g. patronymic, middle name or ancestral name) that is foreign to German law. Instead, one or more first names and a family name are created. The harmonisation is binding and can no longer be changed. It is effective for and against everyone.
Entry into force of the declaration of assimilation
The declaration of harmonisation becomes effective upon receipt by the competent registry office. The registry office will inform the registration office and provide you with a certificate on request. A declaration of harmonisation subject to a condition or time limit is invalid!
Recognition abroad
The declaration of harmonisation is a special feature of German law. No guarantee can be given that the new name will be recognised abroad, especially in the country of origin. It is therefore recommended that declarants who do not have German nationality, or who do not have German nationality alone, only change their name to the extent that this is absolutely necessary for harmonisation with German law.
Required documents
- official photo ID
- if married: marriage certificate or certified copy from the marriage register, with translation into German if necessary
- if living in a registered civil partnership: civil partnership certificate or certified copy from the civil partnership register, with translation if necessary
- Birth certificate, with translation into German if necessary
- Proof of any subsequent name changes, insofar as they are not evident from the birth certificate
- Birth certificate (which documents are required in individual cases must be discussed before the declaration of harmonisation is notarised)
- Proof that German name law has become applicable, e.g. naturalisation certificate, certificate of choice of law declaration
- if applicable, proof of custody of children whose name is to be changed.
Questions & Answers
There are countries in which surnames are not used. The name is made up of your own name, your father's surname and possibly other ancestors.
It is also possible to add suffixes to the name to indicate gender, religion or position in the family.
You can determine the first name(s) and surname from such names and delete superfluous parts of the name.
You can choose this name as your first name and add a surname or vice versa.
According to German law, there are only first names and surnames. Patronymics or other parts of names are not recognised here. You can discard such a name element or declare that you wish to use it as an additional first name.
You can adopt the German form of your first name, for example Irene instead of Eirini or Josef instead of Yussuf. If there is a German form of your first name, you can choose a new first name.
If your surname is modified depending on your gender or position in the family, you can adopt the basic form of the name.
You can also adopt the German form of your surname if such a spelling can be determined, for example sch instead of š
Late repatriates may also translate their surname, for example Schneider instead of Szabo.
Legal basis
Art. 47 EGBGB
§ SECTION 94 BVFG