Name change
A first name or family name may only be changed if an "important reason" (Name Change Act) justifies the change.
Description
Family name
In practice, the following cases occur frequently (not exhaustive):
Collective names are surnames with a risk of confusion (e.g. Maier, Müller, Schmidt);
Surnames that sound offensive or ridiculous or that give rise to inappropriate or frivolous puns;
Spelling and pronunciation difficulties that cause disabilities beyond the normal level;
Problems due to different spellings of surnames with "ss" or "ß" or surnames with umlauts such as "ae" or "oe", which lead to considerable disabilities;
You are not completely free to choose your new surname. The new surname must not cause any new difficulties, either because it is a collective name or because, like the previous name, it is difficult to spell and/or pronounce. If there are difficulties with spelling and pronunciation, changing the spelling of the name will usually suffice. There are also special restrictions on the granting of double names and surnames with a former aristocratic designation.
First name
Like a change of surname, changes to first names are only possible if there is good cause. The right to choose a first name, which is exercised at the birth of a child, ends with the registration of the authorised first name at the registry office.
A change of first name is not a change within the meaning of the Name Change Act. If your name is subject to German law, you have been able to change the order of your first names at the registry office since 1 November 2018. By sorting, you can ensure that your first name comes first. Please make an appointment to visit one of Munich's registry offices (telephone 089/233-96060).
Pen name (pseudonym)
Artists' names, religious names, pseudonyms and other nicknames, which are chosen at random and can be discarded at any time, are not real names in the legal sense. However, artists' names, like civil names, are objects of name protection.
A signature with a pseudonym is legally binding and admissible, provided that the person who is to be considered as the issuer can be established without doubt. If an artist's name is used for the signature, the legal written form requirement is generally satisfied.
Names of artists and religious orders can be entered on identity cards and passports. If you have any further questions in this regard, please contact the relevant Citizens Office (www.buergerbuero-muenchen.de or telephone 089/233-96000).
There are generally no grounds for making a pseudonym the subject of a change of name under public law, even if the pseudonym has been used for many years.
Responsibility for name changes under public law
You can apply to us for a change of name (first name and surname) if you live in the city of Munich and are a German citizen (foreign refugees and persons entitled to asylum living here, for example, have the same status).
Procedure
After you have submitted the application, we will hear the debtor administration at the local court and the responsible police station about the project. As soon as we have all the necessary evidence relevant to the decision, we can make a decision.
If we can comply with your request, we will issue you with a certificate confirming the name change, which will form the basis for the reissue of all other official documents (identity card, passport, driving licence, vehicle registration document, income tax card, etc.). You should also inform all other authorities and private institutions with which you are in regular contact of the change.
If we realise during the course of the procedure that your application has little chance of success, we recommend that you withdraw the application to save costs.
If we have to reject your application, we will formally issue you with an appealable decision. You have the right to appeal against the decision to the Bavarian Administrative Court in Munich for a review of our decision without further appeal proceedings.
Good cause is given if the applicant's legitimate interest is so significant that the interests of the general public, which generally require the retention of the previous name, must take a back seat.
Required documents
- valid official photo ID
- Civil status certificates from more recent times as proof of the current name
- Certificate of good conduct (for persons aged 14 and over)
- Proof of disabilities due to the current use of the name
- medical certificate for name-related mental stress situations (see information sheet on medical certificates)
Further documents may be required if necessary.
Legal basis
see under "Links & Downloads"