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  4. Namensrechtliche Erklärungen (declarations on the law of names) - Einbenennung (giving a child or adult the surname of a stepparent) and Rückbenennung (reversal of such a name change) for children and adults

Namensrechtliche Erklärungen (declarations on the law of names) - Einbenennung (giving a child or adult the surname of a stepparent) and Rückbenennung (reversal of such a name change) for children and adults

Namensrechtliche Erklärungen - Einbenennung und Rückbenennung von Kindern und Volljährigen
Machine translation of the German page, 2026-09-15. The German original is binding.
A child can take the family name of a parent's new spouse by "Einbenennung" (name change upon parental remarriage) and later drop it again by "Rückbenennung" (reversal of that name change). For this, the minor child must live permanently in the joint household of the parent with custody and that parent's spouse. This requirement does not apply to a child who has already reached the age of majority. If the second parent with custody and — from age five onward — the child themselves consent, the new birth name may be either the couple's married name or a double name (the child's birth name plus the married name), in either order, optionally with or without a hyphen. If a parent with custody refuses consent, the family court can replace that consent if doing so serves the child's welfare. Reversal of the name change becomes possible as soon as the marriage that gave rise to the name change is divorced, or the child no longer lives in the household of the parent concerned. The child can then use their earlier birth name alone or as part of a double name. In both cases, children who have reached the age of majority decide for themselves.

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Requirements

• A marriage name (Ehename) has been chosen A name change giving the child the new family name (Einbenennung) is only possible if the spouses have chosen a marriage name (Ehename). • The child is a minor One parent has sole or joint custody. This parent lives together with the child and their spouse, who is not the child's parent, in the same household. • Declaration of consent, if applicable If the child's other parent also has custody, or if the child bears that parent's name, this parent must also consent. If consent is refused, it can be replaced by the family court if this serves the best interests of the child. If the child is over 5 years old, the child must consent to the name change (Einbenennung). • The child is of legal age If the child is already of legal age, it is not required that the child live in the same household as the parent and their spouse. Consent from the parent and their spouse is required. The name change (Einbenennung) is carried out by a personal declaration at the Standesamt (register office). • Reversal of the name change (Rückbenennung) If the marriage of the parent and their spouse is dissolved, the original name may be readopted as part of a reversal of the name change (Rückbenennung). The same applies if the minor child no longer lives in the same household as the parent and their spouse. • Interpreter www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/ If one of the persons making the declaration does not have sufficient command of the German language, an interpreter must be involved, arranged and paid for by that person.

Documents you need

• Erklärung über die Einbenennung (declaration on giving a child a step-parent's surname) oder Rückbenennung (reversal of such a name change) von Kindern und Volljährigen [declaration on the Einbenennung or Rückbenennung of children and adults] You can submit the declaration in person. • Personalausweise (identity cards) or passports Parents, spouse, child (if one has already been issued) • Child's birth certificate If the child was born abroad, an official translation is required. • Marriage certificate (Eheurkunde) Proof is required that the parent with custody married a person who is not the child's parent, and that a married surname (Ehename) was determined at that time. If the marriage took place abroad, an official translation is required. • Household certificate (Haushaltbescheinigung) / registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) This is required to prove that the parent with custody, their spouse, and the (minor) child live in the same household. • If applicable, a current negative certificate (Negativbescheinigung) from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) If the parent with custody has sole custody, this must be proven accordingly. • If applicable, a declaration of consent (Einwilligungserklärung) If the child's other parent also has custody, or if the child bears that parent's surname, this parent must also consent. If the child is over 5 years old, the child must consent to the Einbenennung.

Fees

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

Legal basis

• Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 45 • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB, Civil Code) § 1617e • Personenstandsverordnung (PStV, Civil Status Ordinance) § 46 • Verordnung zur Ausführung des Personenstandsgesetzes im Land Berlin (PStGAV Bln, Ordinance Implementing 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 Surnames and Birth Names and on International Names Law) www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2024/185/VO.html

Who is responsible

Standesamt (registry office) that keeps the birth register The Einbenennung (giving a child the surname of a parent's new spouse) takes effect at the German Standesamt (registry office) that recorded the birth of the child. Standesamt (registry office) of the place of residence The declaration can also be submitted to the Standesamt (registry office) of the place of residence. If the child was born abroad, the Standesamt (registry office) of the place of residence is likewise responsible.

Responsible for you

Choose a location; the appointment itself is booked on the original page.

Original

German original

Service number 324619 · same path as the original: service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324619/