Namensrechtliche Erklärung (declaration on the law of names) - use of surname after dissolution of the marriage or civil partnership

• A married name (Ehename) has been determined If the declarant holds a married name, they may, after dissolution of the marriage, resume their birth name or the name they held before the married name was determined, or place this resumed name before or after the married name without a hyphen. The double name may also be held with a hyphen. In this case, this must be stated in the declaration under name law (namensrechtliche Erklärung). • The marriage has been dissolved Resuming a former name is only possible if the marriage has been dissolved. This generally occurs through divorce or the death of one of the spouses. • A civil partnership name (Lebenspartnerschaftsname) has been determined If the declarant holds a civil partnership name, they may, after dissolution of the civil partnership, resume their birth name or the name they held before the civil partnership name was determined, or place the resumed name before or after the civil partnership name without a hyphen. The double name may also be held with a hyphen. In this case, this must be stated in the declaration under name law (namensrechtliche Erklärung). • The civil partnership has been dissolved Resuming a former name is only possible if the civil partnership has been dissolved. This generally occurs through a court decision on dissolution or through the death of one of the civil partners. • Documents in German www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ Documents in a foreign language generally require a certified German translation and, where applicable, a further certification (apostille or legalization). For documents originally issued in Arabic, Greek, Hebrew or Cyrillic, the translation of personal names (such as first names, family names, birth names) must be carried out in accordance with the transliteration standards (ISO 9-1995 / ISO 843 / DIN 31634 / ELOT 734 etc.). • Documents in original All required documents/certificates must generally be presented to the competent Standesamt (registry office) in original. Documents must not be altered and/or laminated. • Interpreter, if applicable If the declarant does not have sufficient command of the German language, an interpreter must be engaged at their own instigation and expense.

Declaration on the change of name Please submit the declaration in person at the Standesamt (registry office). • Valid and signed identity card or passport (of the person making the declaration) • Lebenspartnerschaftsurkunde (civil partnership certificate) / certified copy from the Lebenspartnerschaftsregister (civil partnership register) If the civil partnership was established abroad, an official translation is additionally required. • Eheurkunde (marriage certificate) / certified copy from the Eheregister (marriage register) If the marriage took place abroad, an official translation is additionally required. • If applicable, a certificate on the use of the name (Bescheinigung über die Namensführung) • If the use of a civil partnership name is not evident from the civil partnership certificate, or if the use of a married name is not evident from the marriage certificate, a certificate on the corresponding use of the name is required. • If the civil partnership / marriage was established abroad, an official translation is required. • Proof of the dissolution of the civil partnership • If the dissolution of the civil partnership is not evident from the civil partnership certificate or the certified copy from the civil partnership name register, a legally binding decision on the dissolution or the death certificate is required. • If the civil partnership was dissolved abroad, a recognition of the dissolution may also be required, together with an official translation. • Proof of the dissolution of the marriage • If the dissolution of the marriage is not evident from the marriage certificate or the certified copy from the marriage register, a legally binding divorce decree or the death certificate is required. • If the marriage was divorced abroad, a recognition of the dissolution may also be required, together with an official translation. • If the civil partnership / marriage was established abroad: birth certificate • Whether further documents are required depends on the individual case. Should the submission of further documents or evidence be required, you will receive a corresponding notification after processing has begun.

• 25.00 euros: Namenserklärung (declaration of name) • 12.00 euros: Bescheinigung über die Namensführung (certificate of the name used)

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG) (Civil Status Act) § 42 • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) (Civil Code) § 1355 para. 5 • Personenstandsgesetz (PStG) § 41 • Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz (LPartG) (Civil Partnership Act) § 3 • Personenstandsverordnung (PStV) (Civil Status Ordinance) § 46 • 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 • Gesetz zur Änderung des Ehenamens- und Geburtsnamensrechts und des Internationalen Namensrechts (Act Amending the Law on Marital Names and Birth Names and International Names Law) www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2024/185/VO.html

• Directory of approved sworn translators and interpreters (Justizportal, Justice Portal) www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/

Standesamt (registry office) that maintains the marriage register/civil partnership register The declaration on the resumption of a former name becomes effective at the German Standesamt (registry office) at which the civil partnership/marriage was established and which maintains the civil partnership register/marriage register. Standesamt (registry office) of residence • The declaration can also be submitted at the Standesamt (registry office) of residence. • If the civil partnership/marriage was established abroad, the Standesamt (registry office) of residence also has responsibility (Zuständigkeit).