If you wish to change your first name, there must be a compelling reason that justifies the name change. Compelling reasons exist when your private interests—as the person bearing the name—that warrant protection in connection with the name change outweigh

• the public interest or
• a third party’s private interest in retaining your name.

Valid reasons include, for example:

• religious motives,
• if the name triggers psychological problems (for example, through associations),
• if there is a risk of confusion,
• if the name sounds offensive or ridiculous and is difficult to pronounce or complicated to spell, or
• following a gender reassignment.

Furthermore, your name must be subject to German law. This includes not only German citizens, but also those granted asylum, foreign refugees, and stateless persons.

A name change is not an option if you simply do not like your name, such as in the case of names of foreign origin. A name change is also not justified if you wish to make it more difficult for creditors to identify you.

For children over 1 year of age and under 16, you may change their first name only for serious reasons in the best interests of the child.

• Certificate of Residence and valid government-issued photo ID (identity card, passport)
• Extract from the birth registry (available from the civil registry office at the place of birth)
• For stateless persons: travel document or entry by the immigration authorities in the passport or passport substitute
• For stateless foreigners or those entitled to asylum: an entry from the immigration authorities in the passport or passport substitute
• For foreign refugees: an entry from the immigration authorities in the passport or passport substitute

For additional documents, please inquire in advance with the name change authority responsible for your case.

Based on the time required, but no less than 40 and no more than 580 euros.

If the application for a name change is denied, the fee may be reduced to as little as one-quarter of the full amount.

Note: If the name change is approved, there will be additional costs, as you will need to reapply for documents such as your ID card or passport.