Can I change my name?
Yes — but as a rule only through the court. Name changes are governed by art. 19 of the Civil Registration Act. The court permits a change of the first, patronymic or family name where it is mocking, dishonouring or socially unacceptable, and where important circumstances require it. The case is brought before the district court at the applicant's permanent address, as ex parte proceedings, and needs a detailed justification — the court will not grant an application simply because you dislike your name. A name changes without court proceedings in only a few situations: on marriage (taking the spouse's surname), on divorce (restoring the pre-marriage surname), and under art. 19a — restoring forcibly changed names, by application to the mayor.
📋 The rules
- Ground: art. 19 — a mocking name or important circumstances
- The case goes to the district court at your permanent address
- Proceedings are ex parte and require justification
- No case needed: on marriage and on divorce
- Under art. 19a: an application to the mayor
🔓 Exceptions
- "Important circumstances" are assessed by the court — being widely known by another name, for example
- On divorce the pre-marriage surname is restored by the judgment, with no separate case
- After the change you must replace your ID card, passport, licence and bank documents
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no fine here — there is refusal, and that is the usual outcome of a bare application. The court will not grant a request founded on preference alone: you must show a mocking or dishonouring name, or specific important circumstances — being long known by another name, religious grounds, family reunification. Take care after you succeed, too: the change does not replace your documents by itself. Within 30 days you apply for a new ID card, and then replace your passport, driving licence, bank accounts, employment contract, title deeds and insurance policies. The old name stays in the register as a previous name — it does not vanish.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I change my name simply because I dislike it?
As a rule, no. The court permits a change where the name is mocking, dishonouring or socially unacceptable, or where important circumstances require it. Preference alone is not a ground.
Where is the case heard?
Before the district court at the applicant's permanent address, as ex parte proceedings. The application requires a detailed justification and evidence of the circumstances relied on.
When is no court case needed?
On marriage, when taking the spouse's surname; on divorce, when restoring the pre-marriage surname; and under art. 19a, for restoring forcibly changed names by application to the mayor.
What counts as "important circumstances"?
The court decides case by case — for instance being widely and lastingly known by another name, religious grounds, or family reunification. The case law is not uniform.
What happens after the judgment?
The change does not replace your documents automatically. Within 30 days you apply for a new ID card, then replace your passport, licence, bank accounts and contracts.
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