User name: use of wife or husband's name

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

Can we wear the surname of her spouse as common name ? We will tell you what name you can use and how to include it on your documents (identity card, passport) and other official documents.

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.

Whether you are a man or a woman, you can use as common name the surname of the person with whom you are married.

You can use as a usage:

  • or the surname of your spouse,
  • either your surname next to your spouse's surname in the order you want, and in the limit of a surname for each.

Example :

Double name for each spouse

Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN AUBERT

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

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.

You can include your last name after your last name on your ID: ID card and passport.

In this case, populate topic middle name of the application form.

FYI  

if you no longer want to use a username, when renewing the identity card, simply leave blank on the line Second name of the application form.

The documents to be provided depend on your situation.

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You are married

For a first use

For a first use of the common name, the following must be provided:

These documents must be attached to your identity document application file and provided at the same window.

Example :

If your name is MARTIN, your spouse's or spouse's name (e.g. DUPOND) may be used on the identity document in one of the following ways:

  • ‘Name: MARTIN husband(s) DUPOND’
  • ‘Name: MARTIN usage DUPOND’
  • ‘Name: MARTIN usage MARTIN DUPOND’
  • ‘Name: MARTIN usage DUPOND MARTIN’
To continue using the name

To continue using a common name that is already on an identity documentNo, you didn't no documents to provide.

Example :

If your name is MARTIN, the common name consisting of the name of your spouse or husband (e.g. DUPOND) may appear on the identity document in one of the following ways:

  • ‘Name: MARTIN husband(s) DUPOND’
  • ‘Name: MARTIN usage DUPOND’
  • “Name: MARTIN usage Martin DUPOND”
  • ‘Name: MARTIN usage DUPOND MARTIN’

You are divorced

If your ex-spouse allows you to do so, you can continue to use his or her name or your two names together as your last name, as you did at the time of your marriage.

This name shall be preceded by the mention use.

To continue using this name, you must provide:

  • or the divorce decree authorizing you to bear the name of your former spouse,
  • or the written authorization of your ex-spouse.

You're a widow or a widow

You can continue to use your username without further steps, whether it's your spouse's name or your two names together.

If you want the indication widowed or widow appears before the usage name, you must check this choice on the form.

You must also provide a death certificate.

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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On the identity card or passport

If you no longer want to use a username on your identity card or passport, the procedure is done during the renewal of the identity document.

Just leave the line blank Second name the application form.

On another official document

If you no longer want the username to be used on a document concerning your private, family, social or professional life, it is sufficient inform your interlocutors.

For example, your employer, or your mutual.

You don't need to provide proof.

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

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