You can ask the court to change your first name. You will need an attorney to file this application.

Name change

  • Contact a lawyer.
  • The attorney then files the application with the court.
  • In the case of a minor, one of the parents or guardian makes the request through an attorney.

Change of child's name in case of name (spelling) error

Was the child registered less than 1 year ago? Then the registrar can still change the first name. You must provide a birth card, letter from the hospital or publication (e.g. in the newspaper) showing the correct spelling of the name.

You must submit a written request to the registrar for this purpose.

Customizing documents

  • Your new first name must appear on your ID card. Therefore, apply for a new passport, identity card and/or new driver's license.
  • If the judge decides that your first name may be changed, the municipality will amend your birth certificate.
  • The municipality registers your new first name. All government agencies that receive data from the municipality will then also know your new first name.
  • To other agencies, you inform yourself that you have a new first name.

Transgender

As a transgender person, you do not have to go to court to change your first name. A transgender person can go directly to civil registrar of the municipality where he/she was born.

After the birth certificate is updated, a message is sent to the residence municipality. The home municipality then updates the data in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP).

For more information, see: Gender Change.

How long will it take?

This depends on how busy the court is.

Submit appeal

Has the judge rejected your application? Then you can file an appeal with the court of appeals within 3 months.