Can I change my surname or first name in Luxembourg?
Yes, but not on a whim — and above all not like France at the town hall. In Luxembourg, changing your surname or first name is governed by the law of 19 December 2020 and requires a reasoned request to the Minister of Justice, who alone decides whether to allow it. You must show exceptional circumstances and important reasons: a ridiculous name, one with an insulting ring, a burdensome name, or a particular family situation. The good news: the procedure is entirely free, and it can be done by post, through a lawyer, or online on MyGuichet.lu. It is open to Luxembourg nationals, stateless persons and refugees; a foreigner, even resident, must apply to their country of origin. The myth: "you change your name easily, like a form at the commune" — false; unlike France, which simplified the town-hall route, the Grand Duchy keeps a ministerial decision requiring genuine justification.
📋 The rules
- Law of 19 December 2020: it sets the regime for changing surnames and first names in Luxembourg; the decision belongs to the Minister of Justice.
- Reasoned request: you must prove exceptional circumstances and important reasons; mere personal taste is not enough.
- Free: the procedure to change a surname and first name(s) is free of charge, contrary to a widespread belief.
- Three routes: the request is made in writing to the Minister, in person or through a lawyer, or online on MyGuichet.lu with LuxTrust or eID.
- Who may apply: Luxembourg nationals (resident or not), stateless persons and refugees; a foreigner must apply to the authorities of their country of origin.
🔓 Exceptions
- A minor child: the request is made jointly by both parents; the consent of a minor aged at least 12 is mandatory, and disagreement is settled before the family court.
- Effect on children: a parent's name change extends automatically to their children under 18, with the consent of a child aged 12 or over if affected.
- Gender and first-name change: amending the recorded sex and first name(s) in the civil status register follows a separate procedure, distinct from a standard name change.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The real risk is refusal and lost time. The Minister of Justice can reject the request if the legal conditions are not met, or if the applicant made false statements, concealed important facts or acted fraudulently. A refusal decision is challenged by an informal appeal to the Minister, then by a judicial appeal to the administrative court, each within 3 months. An authorisation obtained by deception is liable to be overturned. And the authorisation is only the start: once the name is changed, you must have your identity card, passport and driving licence renewed, hand back the old documents, and pass the change on to contracts, accounts and diplomas — a long administrative task that explains why the law reserves this route for serious grounds.
📎 Official sources
- Ministry of Justice · change of surname and first name(s) →
- Guichet.lu · request a change of surname and/or first name(s) (State portal) →
- Legilux · law of 19 December 2020 on the change of surnames and first names (official journal) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I change my name simply because I don't like it?
No, merely disliking your name is not enough: the law requires exceptional circumstances and important reasons. A ridiculous name, one with an insulting ring or one that is particularly hard to bear may be accepted, but it is the Minister of Justice who assesses how solid the grounds are.
Is the procedure paid?
No, the procedure to change a surname and first name(s) is entirely free in Luxembourg. The only possible costs are those of a lawyer if you choose to use one, or the renewal of your identity documents once the change is authorised.
Can I make the request online?
Yes, the request can be filed online through the MyGuichet.lu assistant, with authentication by a LuxTrust product or an electronic identity card. Otherwise you can send it in writing to the Minister of Justice, in person or through a lawyer.
How do I change my minor child's name?
The request for a child must in principle be made jointly by both parents, and the consent of a child aged at least 12 is mandatory. In case of disagreement between the parents, or between the child and the parents, the family court can be seised to decide.
What can I do if my request is refused?
You can lodge an informal appeal with the Minister of Justice within 3 months of notification of the refusal, or a judicial appeal before the administrative court within the same period. The informal appeal suspends the deadline for the judicial appeal, which gives time to complete the file.
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