First name: Request change of order
Short text
- First name Change of order
- Since 1 November 2018: Changing the order of several first names is possible without reason, with the exception of
- Add or omit first names,
- No change of order for names with a hyphen (example: Hans-Peter)
- Prerequisite: Name must be subject to German law, which is the case for
- German nationals,
- persons entitled to asylum,
- foreign refugees and
- Stateless persons.
- responsible: Registry office of the place of birth, the place of marriage, the place where a civil partnership is established, the place of residence and other offices authorised to officially certify documents
Full text
Since 1 November 2018, you can have the order of several first names changed without giving reasons. The prerequisite for this is that your name is subject to German law. This includes not only German nationals, but also persons entitled to asylum, foreign refugees and stateless persons.
The only exception: For hyphenated first names, such as Hans-Peter, the order determined by the parents must be retained.
Note: If you would like to change your first name for important or serious reasons, this can only be done by changing your name under public law. Changing the spelling and adding or omitting first names is otherwise still not permitted in official documents.
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- Valid official photo ID (identity card, passport)
- for stateless persons: travel document or entry from the foreigners authority in the passport or passport substitute
- for homeless foreigners or persons entitled to asylum: entry by the foreigners authority in the passport or passport substitute
- for foreign refugees: Entry of the foreigners authority in the passport or passport replacement
Please enquire in advance with the authority to which you are submitting the declaration about any additional documents.
Prerequisites
- You have German citizenship.
- You are entitled to asylum, a foreign refugee, a stateless person, a homeless foreigner or a quota refugee.
Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)
Administration fee: 35,00 €Prepayment: NoNote: If the change is successful, there will be subsequent costs, as you will have to reapply for documents such as your identity card or passport.Procedure
You must declare the change in the order of your first names in writing:
- Ask your local authority whether you should have the declaration notarised or authenticated and whether an appointment needs to be made.
- Then go to the office responsible for you with all the necessary documents and arrange for the order of your first names to be changed.
Note: As soon as this change has taken effect, you must have various documents (e.g. identity card or passport) changed accordingly. You must apply for these changes yourself.
Processing time
as a rule none
Deadlines
none
Forms
Forms: none
Online procedure possible: no
Written form required: yes
Personal appearance required: yes
Further information
Typing
3bResponsible office
Registry office of the place of birth, the place of marriage, the place of the establishment of a civil partnership, the place of residence and other offices authorised to officially certify documents.