Surname Law Reform: What It Means for Expats – Liberalised Naming Laws Since May 2025
Since 1 May 2025, Germany’s surname rules have been relaxed. The reform (Gesetz zur Änderung des Ehenamens- und Geburtsnamensrechts und des Internationalen Namensrechts) updates the Civil Code (BGB) so that married couples and parents have more say over family and children’s names. The main change for expats and international couples is that both spouses can now share a true double-barrelled surname (e.g. Müller-Brown or Brown-Müller) as the joint married name (Ehename), and children can also have a double-barrelled surname in more situations. The same rules apply regardless of gender. If you are marrying or registering a child’s name in Germany in 2026, the new law applies.
What this means for you
If you marry in Germany (or register your marriage here), you can choose: one partner’s surname as the joint family name, both keep your own names, or—since May 2025—a shared double-barrelled name (e.g. Schmidt-Smith) with the order and hyphen up to you (within the two-name limit). Declare your choice at the Standesamt when you marry; changing it later is possible but involves a name-change procedure. For children, parents can give them either parent’s surname or a double-barrelled name (again, max two surnames). If you married abroad and already have a double-barrelled name under local law, German law can recognise it; ask the Standesamt. Update IDs, residence permit, and other documents after any name change.
What Changed: The May 2025 Reform
Before May 2025: Spouses had to pick one family name as the “Ehename” (married name). Only one partner could add the other’s name as a “Begleitname” (accompanying name), so you could not both use the same double-barrelled name as your joint surname. Rules for children’s surnames were stricter and less flexible.
From 1 May 2025: The BGB was amended so that:
- Shared double-barrelled Ehename: Couples can choose a surname made up of both partners’ names (e.g. Becker-Schmidt or Schmidt Becker), in the order they want, with or without a hyphen. That combined name becomes the joint family name for both.
- Same rules for all: The same options apply regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
- Children’s names: Parents can give a child either parent’s surname or a double-barrelled name (still only two name parts). This applies whether the parents are married or not and whether the parents themselves use a double-barrelled name or not.
- Other changes: Stepchildren find it easier to revert to their birth name after the step-parent’s marriage ends or they leave the household. Divorced parents’ children can more easily take the name of the parent they live with (with the child’s consent from age 5). Adults can, once in a lifetime, declare a new “birth name” at the Standesamt (e.g. adopt a double-barrelled name or switch between parents’ names). The law also allows for names of national minorities (e.g. Sorbian) and gender-adapted forms where provided.
The legal basis is § 1355 BGB (Ehename) and related sections, as amended by the law of 11 June 2024 (in force from 1 May 2025). The Standesamt records your declaration in the marriage certificate.
Options for Married Couples (From May 2025)
Option 1: One partner’s surname as the joint family name
One of you adopts the other’s surname as the Ehename; both then use that name. The other can add their birth name or previous name as a “Begleitname” (before or after the Ehename), unless the Ehename is already a double-barrelled name. You declare this at the Standesamt when you marry (or later by publicly certified declaration).
Option 2: Both keep your own surnames
If you do not declare an Ehename, each keeps the name they had at the time of marriage. No declaration is needed for that.
Option 3: Shared double-barrelled surname (new from May 2025)
You can choose a combined name from both surnames as the joint Ehename. Only two name parts are allowed (e.g. Schmidt-Meyer or Meyer Schmidt). You choose the order and whether to use a hyphen. Both spouses then bear that same double-barrelled name. Example: Anna Müller and James Brown can both become Müller-Brown or Brown-Müller.
If you married abroad and took a double-barrelled name under the law of that country, that name can be recognised in Germany; the Standesamt can advise on the procedure (e.g. name declaration after foreign marriage).
Option 4: One takes the other’s name; the other adds theirs as Begleitname
One partner’s name becomes the Ehename; the other keeps it but adds their birth or previous name as Begleitname (e.g. “Maria Schmidt” with Ehename “Smith” becomes “Maria Schmidt Smith” or “Maria Smith Schmidt” depending on declaration). The Ehename itself remains a single surname.
How to Choose and Register Your Surname
When: Ideally decide before or at the marriage appointment. You make a declaration to the Standesamt (registry office) at the time of marriage registration. If you declare later, the declaration must be publicly certified.
Where: At the Standesamt that registers your marriage (in Germany). For marriages celebrated abroad, name declarations can be made at a German Standesamt afterwards; the office will explain the documents needed.
What to consider: Cultural or family preferences, professional use of your name, length and spelling of a double-barrelled name, and how the name will be used in other countries (passport, visas, degrees). Changing your name later is possible under the Namensänderungsgesetz but involves an application, possibly a fee, and updating all documents again.
After the declaration: The chosen name is entered in the marriage certificate. You then update ID, passport (if applicable), residence permit, driver’s licence, bank, employer, insurance, and any other official or professional documents. Some updates are free, others have fees; allow time for each authority.
Children’s Surnames
Children born or declared after May 2025: Parents can choose as the child’s surname (Geburtsname) either one parent’s surname or a double-barrelled name made from both parents’ names (again, only two parts). If the parents already have a joint Ehename (including a double-barrelled one), the child usually receives that Ehename unless the parents declare otherwise. Both parents must agree on the child’s name; the declaration is made to the Standesamt (at birth registration or later, with public certification if after registration).
Children born before May 2025: They keep their current surname. A change is possible by name declaration or under the Namensänderungsgesetz, with both parents agreeing (and the child’s consent when required by law).
Unmarried parents: If the parents are not married and have joint custody, they declare the child’s surname (one parent’s name or a double-barrelled name) to the Standesamt. If only one parent has custody, that parent’s rules apply; the other parent may need to agree depending on the case.
After divorce or death of a parent: The child generally keeps the name already given. Under the reformed law, it is easier for the child to take the surname of the parent they live with (with the child’s consent from age 5) or for stepchildren to revert to their birth name when the step-parent’s marriage ends or they leave the household.
International and Expat Aspects
Recognition abroad: A name acquired or changed under German law may need to be recognised or registered in your other country of nationality or residence. Some states accept a German marriage certificate or name certificate; others require a separate procedure or court order. Check with your consulate or a lawyer in that country.
Dual nationals: You might have one surname in Germany and another elsewhere if the other state does not recognise the German change. When travelling, use the name that matches your travel document (e.g. passport) to avoid problems at borders.
Marriage abroad, name declared abroad: If you married outside Germany and chose a double-barrelled (or other) name under that country’s law, you can often have that name recognised in Germany via a name declaration at a German Standesamt. Bring the foreign marriage certificate and any required apostille or legalisation; the Standesamt will tell you the exact steps.
Professional and documents: Consider how a name change affects diplomas, licences, publications, and professional registrations. Update them where possible and keep copies of the name-change or marriage certificate for proof.
Practical Examples
German–British couple: Anna Müller (German) and James Brown (British) marry in Berlin. They can choose: both “Müller-Brown” or “Brown-Müller”; or one takes the other’s name (Anna Brown or James Müller); or both keep Müller and Brown. For a child, they can choose Müller, Brown, or Müller-Brown (or Brown-Müller).
Both keep professional names: Two partners each keep their surname. Their child can have either parent’s name or a double-barrelled name.
Married abroad with double-barrelled name: You married in the UK and both use “Smith-Jones.” You move to Germany. You can have this name recognised by declaration at the Standesamt so that German documents (e.g. residence permit, Anmeldung) use the same name.
Costs and Procedures
Declaring your surname at marriage registration is part of the marriage process; there is no separate fee for the name declaration itself (marriage fees apply). A later name declaration (after marriage) or a change under the Namensänderungsgesetz (e.g. “important reason”) usually costs a fee (often in the range of roughly €25–50 or more depending on the Land and type of procedure) and can take several weeks. Updating passports, IDs, and other documents may involve additional fees. The Standesamt can give current amounts and processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my surname after marriage?
Yes. You can make a name declaration later (with public certification) or, in some cases, use the Namensänderungsgesetz. It is simpler to decide at marriage.
What if we cannot agree on the surname?
If you do not declare an Ehename, each keeps their pre-marriage name. For a child, both parents must agree; if they cannot, the law’s default rules apply (e.g. the child gets the name of the parent with sole custody, or a name determined by the rules for joint custody).
Can we have more than two surnames in a double-barrelled name?
No. The BGB allows only two name parts for the double-barrelled Ehename and for children’s names. Longer chains are not permitted.
What happens after divorce?
You keep your married name unless you change it. You can revert to your birth or a previous name (or add it as Begleitname) by declaration to the Standesamt. The reformed law makes it easier for divorced parents’ children to take the name of the parent they live with, with the child’s consent from age 5.
Do the new rules apply to same-sex couples?
Yes. The same BGB rules on Ehename and children’s names apply to all married couples regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Legal Framework
The reform is in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB): mainly § 1355 (Ehename), §§ 1355a, 1355b (Begleitname, minority names), and the sections on children’s names (e.g. §§ 1617, 1617a ff.). Changes to the law were made by the “Gesetz zur Änderung des Ehenamens- und Geburtsnamensrechts und des Internationalen Namensrechts” (BGBl. I 2024 Nr. 185), in force from 1 May 2025. Name changes outside marriage or birth (e.g. “important reason”) are governed by the Namensänderungsgesetz (NamÄndG). The Standesamt is the place for declarations; for complex cases (e.g. international conflicts, divorce, stepchildren), a family lawyer or notary can help.
Official Sources
Use these for the law and procedures:
Last checked: February 2026.
Next Steps
If you are planning to marry in Germany, agree with your partner on the surname (one name, both keep names, or shared double-barrelled name) and declare it at the Standesamt when you marry. If you married abroad and want your name recognised in Germany, contact a German Standesamt with your marriage certificate and ask for the name declaration procedure. Update all documents after any name change. For residence and family immigration, see our guides on spouse visa timeline, spouse visa exemptions, and family reunification.
