This page has been automatically translated. Please refer to the page in French if needed.
Rename
Verified 01 juillet 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
You change first name because he's hurting you? We tell you what changes to the first name are possible and how to apply.
What applies to you ?
Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.
You were born in France
You can request changing your first name.
Example :
Your first name or the connection between your first and last name is ridiculous or prejudicial to you, other people (parents, brothers, sisters, employers, colleagues...) call you by a first name other than your first name.
You can also ask:
- adding a first name
- deletion a first name
- changing order of your first names.
Please note : the rename may as part of another process : first name translation upon acquisition of French nationality, change of first name upon procedure for changing sex, correction of a substantial error in a civil registration document.
Major
You make the request for yourself.
From 1to July 2022, guardianship major can ask to change your first name without being represented by your guardian.
Minor
The request must be made by legal representative.
If the child is over 13 years old, his agreement is necessary.
If the parents are separated and disagree, the parent who wishes to apply for the change of name must refer the matter to the Family Court.
You live in France
You must go to town hall of your place of residence or town hall where your birth certificate was made.
Of forms-rename request types are available in town halls.
You can download the circular of 17 february 2017 containing these standard forms (annexes 4 and following).
One application receipt you are handed over.
You live in foreigner
You must submit your first name change request the appropriate consular post.
Of forms-rename request types are available in consulates.
You can download the circular of 17 february 2017 containing these standard forms (annexes 4 and following).
Visit the consulates and embassy of the country where you live to find out your constituency.
Who shall I contact
One application receipt you are handed over.
For a major
Identity and Residence
- Original full copy of your birth certificate, less than 3 months old
- Partidentity valid original
- Justification home recent.
If you are hosted by another person, recent proof of residence of the person hosting you + certificate of honour the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation.
Demand interest
Depending on your situation, you can provide the following documents:
- Education
For example, a birth certificate, a copy of the health record, a copy of the family record, copies of the diplomas. - Professional life
For example, employment contract, certification of work colleagues (accompanied by ID), copies of business emails. - Administrative Life
For example, copies of old or current identification, invoices, tax notices, proof of domicile. - Personal Life (family, friends, leisure)
For example, family members' certificates of registration for a leisure activity.
You can also join medical certificates indicating the difficulties you encounter because of your first name.
Please note : this list indicative. Depending on your situation, you may provide additional documents.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
Depending on your situation, you must produce the original full copies of the following acts:
- Act marriage
- Act birth your spouse or civil partnership partner
- Act birth of each children
For a minor
Applicant Identity
Depending on your situation, you must provide the following supporting documents:
- Copy of a partidentity during the validity of the parent(s), legal representatives of the child
- If necessary, proof that you are legal representative of the minor (copy of the joint declaration of exercise of parental authority, judicial decision of simple adoption, judicial decision ruling on parental authority, full copy of the death certificate of a parent, deliberation of the family council, decision of the department's services...)
- Consent under age 13 (form signed by the child + copy of a valid ID with the child's signature)
Applicant's Residence
You must provide proof of home recent.
If you are hosted by another person, you must provide a recent proof of residence for the person hosting you + certificate of honour the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation.
Demand interest
Depending on the child's situation, you can provide the following documents.
- Education
For example, a birth certificate, a copy of the health record, a copy of the family record, copies of the diplomas. - Personal life (family, friends, leisure)
For example, family members' certificates of registration for a leisure activity.
You can also join medical certificates establishing the difficulties the child encounters because of his or her first name.
Please note : this list indicative. Depending on your situation, you may provide additional documents.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
- Act birth of the child
Decision is entered in the register of civil status.
Once the birth certificate has been updated, it is possible to change identity documents (identity card, passport).
If registrar considers that your request has no legitimate interest, it must seize the public prosecutor.
The public prosecutor may accept or refuse your request for a change of name.
If the public prosecutor refuses your request, the decision is yours notified.
Read carefully the decision of the public prosecutor to find out how and when to appeal.
You can then challenge the decision with the family affairs judge.
The JAF competent authority shall be that of the court in which the prosecutor performs his duties.
You were born in foreigner
You can request changing your first name.
Example :
Your first name or the connection between your first and last name is ridiculous or prejudicial to you, other people (parents, brothers, sisters, employers, colleagues...) call you by a first name other than your first name.
You can also ask:
- adding a first name
- deletion a first name
- changing order of your first names.
Please note : the rename may as part of another process : first name translation upon acquisition of French nationality, change of first name upon procedure for changing sex, correction of a substantial error in a civil registration document.
Major
You make the request for yourself.
From 1to July 2022, guardianship major can ask to change your first name without being represented by your guardian.
Minor
The request must be made by legal representative.
If the child is over 13 years old, his agreement is necessary.
If the parents are separated and disagree, the parent who wishes to apply for the change of name must refer the matter to the Family Court.
You live in France
If you live in France, you must go to the town hall of your place of residence.
Of forms-rename request types are available in town halls.
You can download the circular of 17 february 2017 containing these standard forms (annexes 4 and following).
Please note : if you refugee, stateless person or beneficiary of subsidiary protection, you should contact the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra). You download the circular dated 17 february 2017, which contains standard renaming application forms (annexes 4 and following).
French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)
On site
French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)
201 Carnot Street
94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex
Public reception upon convocation
Phone
01 58 68 10 10
You live in foreigner
You must submit your first name change request the appropriate consular post.
Of forms-rename request types are available in consulates.
You can download the circular of 17 february 2017 containing these standard forms (annexes 4 and following).
Visit the consulates and embassy of the country where you live to find out your constituency.
Who shall I contact
One application receipt you are handed over.
For a major
Identity and Residence
- Original full copy of your birth certificate less than 3 months old
- Partidentity valid original
- Justification home recent.
If you are hosted by another person, recent proof of residence of the person hosting you + certificate of honour the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation.
Demand interest
Depending on your situation, you can provide the following documents:
- Education
For example, a birth certificate, a copy of the health record, a copy of the family record, copies of the diplomas. - Professional life
For example, employment contract, certification of work colleagues (accompanied by ID), copies of business emails. - Administrative Life
For example, copies of old or current identification, invoices, tax notices, proof of domicile. - Personal Life (family, friends, leisure)
For example, family members' certificates of registration for a leisure activity.
You can also join medical certificates indicating the difficulties you encounter because of your first name.
Please note : this list indicative. Depending on your situation, you may provide additional documents.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
Depending on your situation, you must produce the original full copies of the following acts:
- Act marriage
- Act birth your spouse or civil partnership partner
- Act birth of each children
For a minor
Applicant Identity
Depending on your situation, you must provide the following supporting documents:
- Copy of a partidentity during the validity of the parent(s), legal representatives of the child
- If necessary, proof that you are legal representative minor (copy of the joint declaration of exercise of parental authority, judicial decision of simple adoption, judicial decision ruling on parental authority, full copy of the death certificate of a parent, deliberation of the family council, decision of the department's services...)
- Consent under 13 : form signed by the child + copy of a valid identity document with the child's signature
Applicant's Residence
You must provide proof of domicile recent
If you are hosted by another person, you must provide a recent proof of residence for the person hosting you + certificate of honour the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation)
Minor Identity
- Original full copy of birth certificate, less than 3 months old
- Partidentity valid original
Demand interest
Depending on the child's situation, you can provide the following documents.
- Education
For example, a birth certificate, a copy of the health record, a copy of the family record, copies of the diplomas. - Personal life (family, friends, leisure)
For example, family members' certificates of registration for a leisure activity.
You can also join medical certificates establishing the difficulties the child encounters because of his or her first name.
Please note : this list indicative. Depending on your situation, you may provide additional documents.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
- Act birth of the child
Decision is entered in the register of civil status.
Once the birth certificate has been updated, it is possible to change your credentials (identity card, passport).
If registrar considers that your request has no legitimate interest, it must seize the public prosecutor.
The public prosecutor may accept or refuse your request for a change of name.
If the public prosecutor refuses your request, the decision is yours notified.
Read carefully the decision of the public prosecutor to find out how and when to appeal.
You can then challenge the decision with the family affairs judge.
The JAF competent authority shall be that of the court in which the prosecutor performs his duties.