Displaced persons and ethnic German repatriates, their spouses and children who are German nationals within the meaning of Article 116 of the Basic Law, and naturalized citizens whose names are now governed by German law may, by declaration to the registrar, drop parts of their names that are not provided for in German naming law, for example the father's name.
- You may adopt the masculine form of your family name if it is subject to linguistic variations according to gender or kinship, for example, in the case of the Slavic ending -ova.
- You can adopt a German-language form of your family name or first name; if no such form exists, you can adopt new first names.
- The common family name of spouses can only be changed jointly in an existing marriage.
Further examples are listed in Article 47 of the EGBGB.
The relevant department at the Mainz Registry Office, Legal Affairs Office, and Public Order Office will inform you about the further procedure.
Office hours:
Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday all day by appointment only
Wednesday closed
