✍️ Can I change my first name, and how many times is it allowed?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends — yes, a name can be changed, but not at any time and not for any reason; the law allows it in limited cases and usually only once. Under law no. 10129/2009 “On civil status” (article 57), changing a first name or surname is done only once and only for reasons of unsuitability, on request to the civil registry office where you reside. The most common myth is that “you can change your name whenever you like.” Not so. There is a special window: the name given by your parents can be changed by yourself, on your own request, within one year of turning 18 (that is, between 18 and 19). After that window, a change is allowed only in specific cases such as unsuitability, a material transcription error, or circumstances tied to marriage or adoption. The request must state the reason and the new name, and is approved by the head of the civil registry.

📋 The rules

The legal basis is law no. 10129/2009 “On civil status”; changing a name is dealt with in article 57.
A first name (or surname) is changed only once and only for reasons of unsuitability, on request to the civil registry of your residence.
The name given by your parents can be changed by yourself, on your request, within 1 year of turning 18.
The request must state the reason for the change and the new name; it is approved by the head of the civil registry.
If the documents are incomplete, the authority sets a period of no less than 30 days to complete them before deciding.

🔓 Exceptions

Correcting a material error (a typo or transcription mistake) is not a “change” of name and follows a separate procedure, not counted as the once-only right.
Circumstances of marriage, adoption or recognition of paternity may bring a surname change under their own special rules.
The change is recorded in the National Civil Status Register; other family members may be required to reflect it within a set time.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

There is no “fine” here, but there are costs and blockages if you misread the rule. The right to change your name is a one-off: whoever spends it in haste, on a passing whim, loses the chance for a change they might genuinely want later. Missing the one-year window after turning 18 sharply narrows the room to act — after it you must prove unsuitability, which is not accepted automatically and may be refused by the civil registry. A name change also brings a practical chain: your ID card, passport, driving licence, bank accounts, diplomas and contracts all need updating, and any mismatch between documents can cause delays and rejections at counters. If the request documents are incomplete, the procedure drags on with extra deadlines. So before you start, think hard about the new name and make sure the request has the reason and the right documents, because reversing it is not easy.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I change my name whenever I want?

No, a name change is allowed only once and only for reasons of unsuitability, not as often as you like. There is also a special window within one year of turning 18 to change the name given by your parents on your own request.

Until when can I change the name my parents gave me?

You can change the name given by your parents on your own request within one year of the day you turn 18, that is between 18 and 19. After that window passes, a change is allowed only in specific cases such as unsuitability or a material error.

Where do I file the request to change my name?

The request is filed at the civil registry office where you reside and must state the reason for the change and the new name you want. The decision is taken by the head of the civil registry, and if the documents are incomplete you are given no less than 30 days to complete them.

Is correcting a typo the same as changing a name?

No, correcting a material transcription error follows a separate procedure and is not counted as the once-only right to change a name. So if your name is spelled wrongly in the record, you can seek the correction without spending your single change.

What must I update after changing my name?

The change is recorded in the National Civil Status Register, but you must update your own ID card, passport, driving licence and bank and contract details. Any mismatch between documents can cause delays at counters, so the update should be done quickly and across all institutions.

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