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Usage name: using the names of both parents
Verified 05 février 2020 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
Additional cases ? Surname, surname, usage name, marital name: what difference? / Usage name: use of wife’s or husband’s name
Any person may use a double name consisting of his/her birth name and the name of the parent who did not give him/her name at birth. It is enough that the birth certificate shows the double filiation (indication of the name of the 2 parents). This name will be usage name.. You can request that it be included on your identity documents and used by the authorities.
What applies to you ?
Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.
Everyone has family name..
The surname appears on the birth certificate.
For example, your father's or mother's name.
It is however possible to use, in everyday life, another name called usage name..
The usage name does not replace the last name, which remains the only name mentioned on the civil status documents..
Any person may choose a double name as a usage name consisting of:
- of his own name,
- and the name of the parent who did not give her name at birth.
This parent must appear on his birth certificate.
The order of the names can be chosen freely. For example, Mr. Dupont and Mrs. Martin have a child.
If this child is named after his father, Dupont, it is possible to add the name of his mother to form a name of use that will be Dupont-Martin or Martin-Dupont.
This choice can be made at any age.
The usage name is not final.
You can renounce or change marriage..
FYI : both parents can choose from the birth of the child let him have their two names. In this case, this name is the child's surname.
First mention of the name of use on the identity document
For a minor
The choice of « usage name » must be done with the consent of the parents.
To include usage name after family name on identity card or passport, you must:
- populate topic second name the identity document application form,
- provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) showing the names of the 2 parents,
- provide an authorization from the other parent (the one who does not do the walk) accompanied by a copy of his or her identification.
Depending on the department, the agreement can be given on free paper or only on a specific form. Inquire before proceeding.
These documents are to be attached to the identity document application file and to be provided at the same office.
For a major
To include usage name after family name on identity card or passport, you must:
- populate topic second name the identity document application form,
- provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) showing the names of the 2 parents.
These documents are to be attached to the identity document application file and to be provided at the same office.
To renew the identity document
For a minor
Usage name has not changed
For a minor, the choice of a usage name must be made with the consent of the parents.
To include usage name after family name on identification documents, you must:
- populate topic second name the identity document application form,
- provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) showing the names of the 2 parents,
- provide an authorization from the other parent (the one who does not do the walk) accompanied by a copy of his or her identification.
Depending on the department, the agreement can be given on free paper or only on a specific form. Inquire before proceeding.
These documents are to be attached to the identity document application file and to be provided at the same office.
To stop using the usage name
Just leave the line blank « second name » of the identity document application form.
To use a different usage name
To include usage name after family name on identification documents, you must:
- populate topic second name the application form,
- provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) showing the names of both parents,
- provide an authorization from the other parent (the one who does not do the walk) accompanied by a photocopy of his or her identification.
Depending on the department, the agreement can be given on free paper or only on a specific form. Inquire before proceeding.
These documents are to be attached to the identity document application file and to be provided at the same office.
For a major
Your usage name has not changed
No new usage name documents should be provided.
You no longer want to use a usage name
Just leave the line blank « second name » of the identity document application form.
You want to use a different usage name
You must provide new proof, such as a full copy of the marriage certificate, if you wish to use the name of your spouse..
These documents are to be attached to the identity document application file and to be provided at the same office.
Indication of the use name on other official documents
The usage name chosen can be used in all acts of private, family, social or professional life. For example, to claim a social benefit, the form may indicate a box « usage name »..
Once the request is made, the administration must use the proper name in the letters it addresses.