You can have your name changed under public law if there is an important reason for doing so. This option is available to resolve particular difficulties or burdens in an individual case.
You can only change your name in exceptional circumstances.
More Information
Publisher
Hamburg
Last update or date of publication
Contact
The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).
Call 115 nowGovernment service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.
You will find out which documents you need during the individual consultation.
If you are unable to attend the appointment, please inform us in good time via
Email: m252@amtfuermigration.hamburg.de
Preconditions
- There is an important reason for the name change.
- You will find out whether your reason for changing your name is an important reason in an individual consultation.
Hints
The registry offices are responsible for name changes according to the provisions of the German Civil Code (BGB) such as
for example
- Determination of the married name or
- Re-adoption of the birth name after dissolution of the marriage
- or for first name changes according to the Self-Determination Act (SBGG).
- and for the changes following the naming law reform from May 2025
The fee for changing the surname or first name is EUR 25.00 - EUR 1,000.00.
If you withdraw your application, you will have to pay 50% of the fee.
If your application is rejected, you will have to pay 75% of the fee.
Basis for legal action
Law on the Change of Surnames and First Names (NamÄndG)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/nam_ndg/index.html#BJNR000090938BJNE000501360
Legal Remedies
Objection (only against a decision with instructions on legal remedies)
Related Links
- Information on name changes of the Hamburg Authority for the Interior and SportCurrently this link is only available in german
- Information on naming rightsCurrently this link is only available in german
- Information on the new naming law from 1 May 2025Currently this link is only available in german
Procedure
- You can get advice on your issue by phone or email. This will clarify which department is responsible for your issue and whether it has any prospect of success
- You will receive your individual application documents by post.
- You apply for the name change and submit all required documents.
- The responsible authority will examine your documents and decide on your application.
Deadlines
You will find out whether and which deadlines you have to meet during your individual consultation.
Processing time
If all required documents are available, processing usually takes about 4 weeks.
If you want to change the surname of a minor, the process usually takes several months.