Can I give my baby any name I want in Malta?
Mostly yes, but not entirely — there are limits and a deadline that many people do not know about. Under the Civil Code (Cap. 16), Article 240 requires every birth to be registered with the Public Registry (Identità) within 15 days of the birth, for a fee of €2.60 per act recorded. Parents choose the name, but the Director of the Registry can refuse a name that exposes the child to ridicule, or that is not a proper name. The myth: that you can register literally any name, in any alphabet or with symbols. In fact, a 2026 reform announced by Minister Byron Camilleri requires new names to be written in the Maltese or Latin alphabet — names in non-Latin writing systems must be transliterated first. On top of that, since 2021 couples may keep separate surnames or combine up to four surnames, and this also applies when you choose the baby's surname.
📋 The rules
- Article 240 of Cap. 16: every birth must be registered with the Public Registry within 15 days of the birth.
- Registering the act of birth carries a fee of €2.60; parents are notified by SMS or email when it is done.
- The Director of the Registry can refuse a name that exposes the child to ridicule or that is not a proper name.
- The 2026 reform requires names to be written in the Maltese or Latin alphabet; non-Latin names must be transliterated.
- Since 2021, couples may keep separate surnames or combine up to four surnames for the child.
🔓 Exceptions
- Births outside Malta to Maltese citizens are registered through the foreign-notification procedures, not within the same local 15 days.
- In case of a dispute or doubt about the name, the matter can be taken to the Director of the Registry and, if needed, before the court.
- The surname can follow different choices (father's, mother's, or combined) under the rules, and is not always automatic.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Failing to register the birth within 15 days is not something to leave for later: delay creates complications in obtaining the birth certificate, the identity card, the children's allowance and even school registration. Without a properly recorded act of birth, the family can find itself facing administrative difficulties at every step that requires proof of the child's identity. If you choose a name in a non-Latin writing system, the registry office can refuse it or ask for a transliteration, and that brings further delay. A name that exposes the child to ridicule can be refused, and correcting a mistake later may require a formal procedure. The practical advice: decide the name and surname in advance, check that it is written in the accepted alphabet, and have the hospital and parents' identity documents ready to meet the deadline without stress.
📎 Official sources
- Identità · Public Registry — birth registration →
- Legislation Malta · Civil Code (Cap. 16) — registration of births →
- Servizz.gov.mt · birth notification and registration →
❓ Frequently asked
How long do I have to register a birth in Malta?
The law requires every birth to be registered with the Public Registry within 15 days of the date of birth, under Article 240 of the Civil Code. Delay creates problems in obtaining the birth certificate and other benefits, so it is best to prepare the documents early.
Can I give my baby any name?
Mostly parents choose freely, but the Director of the Registry can refuse a name that exposes the child to ridicule or that is not a proper name. On top of that, the 2026 reform requires names to be written in the Maltese or Latin alphabet.
What if the name is in a non-Latin alphabet?
Under the 2026 reform, names in non-Latin writing systems (such as Arabic or Cyrillic) must be transliterated into the Maltese or Latin alphabet before registration. Without this, the registry office can refuse or delay the act, so it is best to decide the spelling in advance.
How much does it cost to register a birth?
A fee of €2.60 is paid for each act of birth registered, and parents are notified by SMS or email when it is done. This is a small cost, but the right documents and the 15-day deadline are what really matter to avoid complications.
Can I choose the baby's surname?
Yes, since 2021 couples may keep separate surnames or combine up to four surnames, and this also applies to the baby's surname. The choice is not always automatic, so you must follow the Public Registry rules when registering the birth.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “naming a baby malta”
- “birth registration malta 15 days”
- “baby name rules malta”
- “name alphabet malta 2026”
- “birth registration fee malta”
- “baby surname malta”