User name: use of wife or husband's name

Verified 14 décembre 2022 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

Your situation

  • Using or Deleting a Usage Name
  • Use a usage name
  • Use wife or husband's name
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Last name and surname

Every person has a surname (also called birth name).

This name appears on your birth certificate.

For example, it could be your father's name, or your mother's name, or the name of your father and mother next to each other.

You can, however, use in everyday life a alternate name called common name.

The last name does not replace your last name which remains the only name mentioned on the civil registration documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, family record...

Freedom of choice

The ability to use a username is optional and is automatic pitch.

If you are married, you can use your spouse's name or only your own surname.

This is a personal choice which cannot be imposed on you.

Example :

Compound name for each spouse

Name of 1er husband: BELIER-GORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er spouse may choose as their last name: BELIER-GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER-GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT

Example :

Dual name of 1er spouse and compound name of 2nd husband

Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er husband may choose as a given name: BELIER MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER, GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT

Warning  

you cannot use the name of your partner or Civil partnership partner as your last name.

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Please note

there is no time limit for the username to be included on identity documents. You can do that when you wish.

You can use the chosen use name in all acts of your private, family, social or professional life.

When you request it, the administrations must use this username in the letters it sends you.

You must to inform the various bodies of the chosen usage name.

To inform the health insurance, log in to your Ameli account (“My steps”).

The choice of a usage name does not no effect on the surname of your common child.

So, your child may bear your name, that of your spouse or your 2 names side by side.

Your common child's last name may be the same or different from your last name.

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