Namensrechtliche Erklärung (declaration under name law) - Aligning first name/surname with German law

• Acquisition of the name under foreign law The declarant bears a name, name components, or characters that are foreign to German law. • Group of persons The declarant • was naturalized, or • is a Vertriebene/r (displaced person), or • is a Spätaussiedler/in (late repatriate) • if applicable, the name is to be determined as the married name under German law If the declarant does not belong to the group of persons named above, an Angleichungserklärung (name adjustment declaration) is possible only if their name is to be determined as the married name under German law. • If applicable, consent • If the declarant is a minor, the name declaration requires the consent of the person(s) with custody. If the child is already over 14 years old, they must make the declaration themselves, but this likewise requires the consent of the person(s) with custody. • If the name to be adjusted is a married name, both spouses must consent. • Prior consultation Prior consultation on the options for adjustment in the individual case is required. • Documents in German If the required documents/certificates are not in German, they must be translated by an interpreter sworn in Germany. For some countries, further authentication (apostille or legalization) is also required. • Original documents All required documents/certificates must generally be submitted to the responsible Standesamt (registry office) in original form. • If applicable, interpreter If the declarant does not have sufficient command of the German language, an interpreter must be engaged at their initiative and expense.

• Declaration of Name Adaptation (Angleichungserklärung) possible in person • Identity card or passport • Birth certificate if applicable, with official translation • Marriage certificate, if applicable if applicable, with official translation • Certificate of Naturalization (Einbürgerungsurkunde), Certificate of Citizenship (Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis), or Certificate of Acquisition of German Citizenship, if applicable • Registration Certificate (Registrierschein), Late Repatriate Certificate (Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung), or Expellee ID Card (Vertriebenenausweis), if applicable • Further documents, if applicable This list is not necessarily exhaustive. Additional documents may be required.

• none: for displaced persons and late repatriates (Spätaussiedler), their spouses and descendants • 25.00 euros: for naturalized citizens • 12.00 euros: certificate of name change

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 43 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__43.html • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch (EGBGB, Introductory Act to the Civil Code) Art. 47 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/BJNR006049896.html#BJNR0060 • Bundesvertriebenen- und Flüchtlingsgesetz (BVFG, Federal Expellees and Refugees Act) § 94 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bvfg/__94.html • Personenstandsverordnung (PStV, Civil Status Ordinance) §§ 45, 46 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/ • Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes im Land Berlin (PStGAV Bln, Ordinance on the Implementation of the Civil Status Act in the State of Berlin) § 8 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=PStGAV_BE_!_8

• Register of approved sworn translators and interpreters www.gerichtsdolmetscherverzeichnis.de/ • Federal Foreign Office: Foreign public documents for use in Germany www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/urkunden/2007718#content_1

Standesamt (registry office) that keeps the relevant register if a German civil status register (Personenstandsregister) exists for the declaring person, for example • if the person was born in Germany • or if the person got married or entered into a civil partnership (Lebenspartnerschaft) here • or if the person has had their birth or marriage/civil partnership subsequently recorded (Nachbeurkundung) Standesamt (registry office) of the place of residence If no German civil status register exists for the declaring person Standesamt (registry office) that keeps the marriage register if the declaration is made in connection with a declaration of marital name (Ehenamenserklärung)