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Name Declaration / Naming Law

25.02.2020 - Article

German citizens are subject to German law with respect to their use of a name. The possible names which may be used under German law may deviate from those entered in US vital records or identification documents.

Also, name changes of German citizens in their US documents do not always have an immediate effect to the name used in Germany and in German official documents. Please read the information provided on the following pages carefully in order to find out if a name declaration is required, especially after birth, marriage or divorce abroad.

You will find additional regional information on the website of the German mission in the United States that is responsible for your district (currently not available for all German foreign missions). To find out which of the nine German Consular Missions in the U.S. serves your U.S. home state, please use our interactive consulate finder

22.02.2022 Article

Name Declaration for Spouses

The name of a German citizen does not change automatically by marriage alone. Therefore, a name declaration might be necessary before a German passport can be issued in the new name.

Heirat colourbox
01.07.2023 Article

Name Declaration for a Child

The name of a German citizen is governed by German law, even if his or her last name is already shown on a foreign birth certificate. Therefore, a name declaration might be necessary before a German passport can be issued to your child.

Baby
01.07.2023 Article

Name Declaration after Dissolution of a Marriage

You have a name from a former marriage, are divorced by now, and would like to go back to your maiden name or the name you carried before your marriage?

Carimbo sobre documentos de divórcio
01.07.2022 Article

Name Declaration for a Child 18 years or older

In cases where the parents were married when the child was born, but did not have a common last name (“Ehename”), the child never obtained a birth name according to German law. Therefore, a name declaration by the child, who is 18 years or older, can be necessary.

Junge Menschen entspannend auf den Stufen
Overview "Family Matters"
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