There can be many reasons for people to want to get rid of their last name. This is not possible in all cases. When can you change your surname or change your child’s surname and what steps do you need to take?
When can you submit a name change request?
This is possible if you have Dutch nationality. Moreover, it is only possible to change your surname once. Only an adult whose surname was changed as a minor can reverse the name change. In addition, one of the following situations must apply:
For minor children
- A parent caregiver who wants to give a child his or her last name
- Changing the surname of a minor child to that of the surname of the other children in the family
- Changing the surname of the minor child if he or she has different names (this is possible, for example, if the surname was given under foreign law)
For adults
- An adult child who wants to change his surname to that of the other parent/guardian
- An adult who wants to review the parents’ choice of name
- An adult who wants the same name change as the parent’s name change
- An adult who wants to regain his original surname after the dissolution of a marriage (here too, the name change will primarily have arisen due to foreign law)
- Change of a non-Dutch surname
- Changing an indecent or ridiculous surname, for example the name Rot for someone who trades wood by profession
- Change of a common surname
- Changing a misspelled surname
- Adding a surname. This is possible if it can be demonstrated that this name was already part of the family name when the civil registry was introduced
- Adding the mother’s surname, if this name is extinct or threatened with extinction.
Who must make the application?
In the event that the name change concerns the name of a minor child, the application must be made by the person who has authority over the minor child and the person whose name is requested for the child. In all other cases, the person wishing to change the name must make the request
To whom should the request be made?
You can address your request to the Ministry of Justice, Justis service, in The Hague. This will determine whether or not the request will be processed. If the request is not processed, you can object in writing and your request will then be reconsidered.
If the request is processed, you will receive a payment request of 226.89 (or 56.72 if you receive social assistance benefit). Only after your payment has been received will your request be forwarded to the municipality in which you live.
Research by the municipality
After your request has been forwarded to the municipality, they will conduct an investigation to determine whether the information you submitted is correct. Moreover, the municipality will hear you and other interested parties. Other interested parties are the parent whose name you now bear, a child if older than 12 years old. The municipality will send the outcome of the investigation back to the Ministry of Justice
Assessment and appeal
Based on the investigation, the Ministry of Justice will determine whether your request can be honored. If this is the case, the name change will take place by royal decree, making the change official. If a request is not granted, you can still object within 6 weeks of the decision. If this notice of objection does not produce the desired result, you can submit an objection to the court, after which an appeal to the Council of State may be possible.