Usual name of an adult: use of the parents' name

Verified 07 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

Additional cases ?

For a minor child

You are of legal age, your surname is that of your father, and you wonder if you can also wear, as a custom, the name of your mother? We tell you what you need to know.

The usage name differs from the surname which is the only one inscribed on the civil status records. The usage name is name you can use in everyday life.

The ability to use a usage name is optional and is not automatic. It's a personal choice which cannot be imposed on you.

You can use as a usage name:

  • A double name consisting of your name and the name of the parent who was not transmitted to you at birth, within the limit of a family name for each of them in case of double name. The order of names can be freely chosen.
  • The name of the parent who was not given to you at birth
  • The name of a single parent if you have a dual name.

Parent name must be shown on your birth certificate.

You can choose a usage name at any age.

You can change the usage name. The choice is not final.

In case of marriage, you can give up or change your username to your spouse's, but you cannot combine these 2 types of username.

Example :

You have a simple name

Your last name: BELIER

Name of your father: BELIER

Name of your mother: DURAND

You can choose as a usage name: DURAND, BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER

Example :

You have a simple name and each of your parents has a double name

Your last name is: BELIER

Name of your father: BELIER FORCE

Name of your mother: DURAND DUPONT

You can choose as a usage name: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DUPONT GORCE, BELIER GORCE, DURAND DUPONT, GORCE, DURAND, DUPONT

Example :

You have a double name consisting of the name of your father and mother and each of your parents has a single name

Your last name is: BELIER DURAND

Name of your father: BELIER

Name of your mother: DURAND

You can choose as a usage name: DURAND BELIER, BELIER, DURAND

Example :

You have a double name consisting of the name of your father and your mother and each of your parents has a double name

your surname is: BELIER DURAND

Name of your father: BELIER FORCE

Name of your mother: DURAND DUPONT

You can choose as a usage name: DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DUPONT GORCE, BELIER GORCE, DURAND DUPONT, GORCE, DURAND, DUPONT, BELIER

Example :

You have a compound name and each of your parents has a compound name

Your last name is: BELIER-GORCE

Name of your father: BELIER-GORCE

Name of your mother: DURAND-DUPONT

You can choose as a usage name: BELIER-GORCE DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT BELIER-GORCE, DURAND-DUPONT

Example :

You have a double name and one of your parents has a compound name

Your surname is: BELIER FORCE

Name of your father: BELIER FORCE

Name of your mother: DURAND-DUPONT

You can choose as a usage name: BELIER DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT GORCE, DURAND-DUPONT, BELIER, GORCE

FYI  

The 2 parents can choose from the birth of the child that he bears their two names. In this case, this name is the child's surname.

First mention of the usage name on an identity document

To include a usage name on the identity card or the passport, you must:

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same counter.

Renewal of an identity document

The approach varies depending on whether the usage name is unchanged, changed, or no longer used.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Usage name is unchanged

To include a usage name on the identity card or the passport, you must fill in the section Usage Name on the form or pre-application for identity papers.

No new documents related to your usage name are required.

Usage name is changed

Your usage name is changed, for example, if you choose a different combination of the usage name from your parentage.

To include a usage name on the identity card or the passport, you must:

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same counter.

Usage name is no longer used

Just do not fill in the section Usage Name on the form or pre-application for identity papers.

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

As soon as the request is made, the administration must use the username in the letters it sends you.

You must inform the various bodies the chosen usage name.

Example :

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

FYI  

If you no longer want the usage name to be used, it is sufficient inform your interlocutors. You do not need to provide proof.

On the same subject

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region