Can I apply for a name change for my child?
November 27, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Gerd Möller
Dear Family Law Attorney,
My name is Norbert Kockel and I am reaching out to you with a question regarding the name change of my child. My son, Max Kockel, is now 10 years old and carries his mother's last name, as we were not married at the time of his birth. However, my ex-partner and I have separated some time ago, and I now have sole custody of Max.
Since I consider my son as my own and would like to legally acknowledge him as such, I would like to apply for the name change of my son so that he bears my last name. It is important to me that Max is officially recognized as my child and that we have a close bond as father and son.
My concern is that the application for the name change could be rejected or that there could be legal complications. Therefore, I wonder if it is even possible to apply for the name change of my child and what steps I would need to take. Are there specific requirements that need to be met for the application to be successful?
I would greatly appreciate your professional assessment and support in this matter. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Norbert Kockel
Dear Mr. Kockel,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the name change of your son Max. It is understandable that as a father, you would like your son to bear your surname and be officially recognized as your child. In your case, where you have sole custody of Max, it is generally possible to apply for a name change for your child.
In order to apply for the name change of your son, certain requirements must be met. First and foremost, it is important that you have sole custody of your child as a father. Since you have already mentioned that this is the case, you have already fulfilled an important requirement. Furthermore, it is important that the name change is in the best interest of the child and does not infringe on the legitimate interests of third parties.
To file the application for the name change, you will need to contact the relevant registry office. There you will receive the necessary forms and information on which documents you need to submit with the application. Typically, in addition to the application, birth certificates, your ID card, the mother's consent form (if possible), and possibly other documents are required.
After submitting the application, the registry office will review whether the requirements for the name change are met. If the application is rejected, you have the option to appeal and potentially go to court.
It is important that you seek the support of an experienced family law attorney in this process to ensure that your interests and those of your son are best represented. As a family law attorney, I am available to assist you with the application for the name change for your son.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Gerd Möller, Family Law Attorney
