✍️ Can I change my name?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes, you can change your name — but your first name and your surname follow different procedures. Changing your first name has, since 1 August 2018, been done directly at your commune (civil status): a fast procedure, with a municipal fee that varies widely (from free to about €490), handled within 3 months. For transgender people who change their first name after a gender-registration change, the commune may charge at most 10% of its usual fee. Changing your surname is heavier: you request it from the FPS Justice, with a serious reason and a registration fee of €140; the procedure usually takes 6 months to a year. Since 1 July 2024, however, there is a simple, free exception: as an adult you may once change your surname to that of one or both parents, directly at the commune and without a serious reason.

📋 The rules

First name: since 1 August 2018 at the commune, handled within 3 months
The first-name fee varies by commune (from free to ± €490); transgender max 10% of the fee
Surname: via the FPS Justice, with a serious reason and a registration fee of €140
The surname procedure usually takes 6 months to a year; refusal: appeal to the family court within 30 days
Since 1 July 2024: change your surname free at the commune to that of one or both parents (once, no reason)
Child's name: since 2014 the father's or mother's name or a double name; if parents disagree, both in alphabetical order

🔓 Exceptions

The name may not cause confusion or harm you or others — this applies to first name and surname
A gender-registration change (a separate administrative procedure since 2018) is free

⚠️ Penalties & fines

This is not a fines matter, but an administrative procedure with costs. The commune or the FPS Justice can refuse a change if the name is confusing or causes harm. If a surname change is refused, you can go to the family court within 30 days. An approved change is recorded in the registers and flows through to your ID card, passport and national register.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I change my first name?

Yes, since 2018 it is done directly at your commune. The cost varies widely by commune (from free to about €490) and the change is settled within 3 months.

How do I change my surname?

Via the FPS Justice, with a serious reason and a €140 registration fee. Since 1 July 2024, as an adult you can, however, change your surname free and without a reason to that of one or both parents, directly at the commune.

How much does a name change cost?

For your first name, a municipal fee (from free to ± €490). For your surname via Justice, a €140 registration fee; the free parent-name procedure at the commune costs nothing.

What name does my child get?

Since 2014 your child can get the father's name, the mother's name or a double name. If the parents disagree or make no choice, the child gets both names in alphabetical order.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“change first name commune”
“change surname justice”
“name change cost 140 euros”
“parent name free 2024”
“double surname child”