Namensrechtliche Erklärungen (declarations under name law) - Change a child's surname by the parent with sole custody

• One parent has sole custody Granting a name is only possible if only one parent has custody. • Declaration of consent The consent of the parent without custody is required, unless that parent has already died. • Age of the child A name can only be granted while the child is a minor. If the child is over 5 years old, the child must consent to the granting. • Documents in German • If the required documents / certificates are not in German, they must be translated by a translator sworn in in Germany (see "Further information"). • For some countries, additional authentication (apostille or legalization) is also required. The apostille (issued by the responsible authority in the home country) or the legalization (issued by the German embassy) must be affixed directly to the original or attached to it (more under "Further information"). • For certificates originally issued in Arabic, Greek, Hebrew or Cyrillic, the translation of personal names (such as first names and family names, birth names) must follow the transliteration standards (ISO 9-1995 / ISO 843 / DIN 31634 / ELOT 734, etc.). • Documents in original • As a rule, all required documents / certificates must be submitted to the responsible Standesamt (registry office) in original form. Certificates may not be altered and/or perforated / laminated. • Language requirements / directory of approved sworn translators and interpreters www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ If there is not sufficient knowledge of German, a sworn interpreter is required. • Note: Advice on legal options and requirements is recommended

• Namenserklärung (declaration of name) Please submit the Namenserklärung (declaration of name) in person at the competent Standesamt (registry office). • Identity cards (Personalausweis) or passports If the child already has a Kinderausweis (child's identity card). In any case, the parents' identity documents. • Child's birth certificate If the child was born abroad, an official translation is required. • Current Negativbescheinigung (negative certificate) from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) This serves as proof of sole custody. • Birth certificate of the non-custodial parent • Death certificate of the non-custodial parent • Additional documents, if applicable This list is not exhaustive. Additional documents may be required. If one or both parents hold a nationality other than German, it is advisable to seek advice from the competent Standesamt (registry office) regarding the required documents and the family's surname.

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

• Personenstandsgesetz (Civil Status Act, PStG) § 45 - Declaration concerning the child's surname www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__45.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (German Civil Code, BGB) § 1617a - Birth name where parents have no marital surname and there is sole custody www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1617a.html • Personenstandsverordnung (Civil Status Ordinance, PStV) § 46 - Declarations under family law www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__46.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 1616 - Birth name where parents have a marital surname www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1616.html • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 1617 - Birth name where parents have no marital surname and joint custody www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__1617.html • Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes im Land Berlin (Ordinance Implementing the Civil Status Act in the State of Berlin, PStGAV Bln) § 9 gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/document/jlr-PStGAVBE2019V1P9 • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch (Introductory Act to the Civil Code, EGBGB) Art. 10 para. 1 - Name www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/BJNR006049896.html

• Directory of certified sworn translators and interpreters (Justizportal [Judicial Portal]) www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ • Foreign public documents for use in Germany (Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office]) www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/urkunden/2007718#content_1

The name conferral becomes effective at the German Standesamt (register office) that recorded the child's birth. The declaration can also be submitted at the Standesamt of your place of residence. If the child was born abroad, the Standesamt of the place of residence is likewise responsible.