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Rename
Verified 05 août 2021 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ? Choosing the child’s first name / Change of surname for legitimate reason
You want to change your first name because it harms you? You must apply to the town hall of your place of residence or to the town hall of the place where your birth certificate was made. The registrar must enter public prosecutor if he or she does not consider your request to be in a legitimate interest. If you refuse, you can appeal to the Family Court.
What applies to you ?
Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.
You were born in France
Anyone can ask to change their first name.
Example :
Your first name or the connection between your first and last names is ridiculous or hurts you.
You can also ask adding a first name deletion a first name or changing the order of first names.
For a minor or an adult, the application must be made by legal representative.
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.
If the child is over 13 years old, his agreement is necessary.
Please note : the name change can be done through 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.
You live in France
You must go to town hall of your place of residence or town hall where your birth certificate was made.
One application receipt you are handed over.
You live in foreigner
You must submit your first name change request the appropriate consular post.
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
- Valid original ID
- Recent proof of domicile. 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 attach medical certificates indicating the difficulties you are experiencing because of your first name.
Please note : this list indicative and the elements are not cumulative.
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:
- Marriage Act
- Birth certificate of your Civil partnership partner
- Birth certificate of each of your children
Guardian identity for a guardianship major
- Copy of the court decision designating or renewing you in that capacity
- Copy of your valid ID
For a minor
Applicant Identity
Depending on your situation, you must provide the following supporting documents:
- Copy of valid identity document of parent(s), legal guardians of the child
- If necessary, proof that you are the minor's legal representative (copy of the joint declaration of exercise of parental authority, simple judicial decision of 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 of the minor if he or she is over 13 years of age (form signed by the child + copy of a valid identity document with the child's signature)
Applicant's Residence
Recent proof of domicile. 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.
Minor Identity
- Original full copy of birth certificate, less than 3 months old
- Valid original ID
Demand interest
Depending on the child's situation, you can provide the following documents.
- Childhood or schooling. 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 attach medical certificates that show the child's difficulties because of his or her first name.
Please note : this list indicative and the elements are not cumulative.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
- Birth certificate 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.
You can challenge the decision family affairs judge.
The JAF competent authority shall be that of the court in which the prosecutor performs his duties.
Read the decision of the public prosecutor carefully to find out the means and time limits of appeal.
You were born in foreigner
Anyone can ask to change their first name.
Example :
Your first name or the connection between your first and last names is ridiculous or hurts you.
You can also ask adding a first name deletion a first name or changing the order of first names.
For a minor or adult under guardianship, the request must be made by his legal representative.
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.
If the child is over 13 years of age, his or her consent is required.
Please note : the name change can be done through 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.
General case
If you live in France, you must go to the town hall of your place of residence.
You live in foreigner
You must submit your first name change request the appropriate consular post.
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.
Asylum (Opfra)
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).
Who shall I contact
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
Open to the public from 9am to 3pm
Phone
01 58 68 10 10
For a major
Identity and Residence
- Original full copy of your birth certificate less than 3 months old
- Valid original ID
- Recent proof of domicile. 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 attach medical certificates indicating the difficulties you are experiencing because of your first name.
Please note : this list indicative and the elements are not cumulative.
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:
- Marriage Act
- Birth certificate of your Civil partnership partner
- Birth certificate of each of your children
Guardian identity for a guardianship major
- Copy of the court decision designating or renewing you in that capacity
- Copy of your valid ID
For a minor
Applicant Identity
Depending on your situation, you must provide the following supporting documents:
- Copy of valid identity document of parent(s), legal guardians 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 on parental authority, full copy of the death certificate of a parent, deliberation of the family council, decision of the departments...)
- Consent of the minor if over 13 years of age: form signed by the child + copy of a valid identity document with the child's signature
Applicant's Residence
Recent proof of domicile (if you are hosted by another person, recent proof of domicile of 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
- Valid original ID
Demand interest
Depending on the child's situation, you can provide the following documents.
- Childhood or schooling. 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 attach medical certificates that show the child's difficulties because of his or her first name.
Please note : this list indicative and the elements are not cumulative.
Registration documents to be updated following the change of name
- Birth certificate 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.
You can challenge the decision family affairs judge.
The JAF competent authority shall be that of the court in which the prosecutor performs his duties.
Read the decision of the public prosecutor carefully to find out the means and time limits of appeal.