Name of a minor adopted by a single person

Verified 06 November 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

You adopt a child alone and you wonder what last name will he be able to wear? We present you the rules to know according to whether it is a simple adoption or a plenary adoption.

What applies to you ?

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Simple adoption

Possible Choices

The adopter may give one of the names the following to the adopted minor:

  • Name of the adoptee + name of the adopter. The order of the names is free within the limit of a single name for each of them in case of double name.
  • Replace the adopted child's name with the name of the adopter.

Example :

Fabien Caron adopt Nathan Veron.

Nathan's last name can be: Caron Veron or Veron Caron or Caron.

Example :

Theophilus Gautier Dumas adopt Kevin Monceau Dupont.

Kevin's surname can be: Monceau Gautier or Gautier Monceau or Monceau Dumas or Dumas Monceau or Dupont Dumas or Dumas Dupont or Dupont Gautier or Gautier Dupont or Gautier Dumas.

After a simple adoption, the rule varies depending on how the new name is formed:

  • When the name of the adoptive parent is added to the adopted parent's name, the new adopted parent's name is a indivisible compound name. It is therefore transmitted in full to the descendants.
  • Where the adoptive parent has been given the dual name, the new name of the adopted parent shall remain a divisible double name.

Minor aged 13 and over

The adopter must collect the consent from the adopted person to the choice of his name if he is aged 13 and over.

The adopter shall in its application for adoption the name chosen for the adopted child.

If the adopted child is 13 years of age or older, the application must indicate that he or she has given his or her consent.

The query is done on free paper or using the form cerfa no. 15737.

The choice of the adopted person's name after the adoption procedure is possible if the following conditions are met:

  • The adopter wishes replace the adopted child's name with his or her name (substitution)
  • The adoptive parent did not make this request during the adoption proceedings or the adopted child aged 13 and over at the time of adoption wished to keep his or her name.

The adoptive parent must obtain the consent of the adopted parent if he or she is 13 years of age or older.

The adoptive parent must apply to the court which has taken over the adoption procedure.

FYI  

The adopter may apply to the court for a change of first name(s) of the adopted. If the adopted child is 13 years of age or older, the application must indicate that he or she has given his or her consent.

In the absence of a choice, the court responsible for the adoption procedure shall decide on the name of the adopted person.

The name of the adoptive parent is placed behind the adopted parent's name.

In case of double name, the 1re part of the name of the adopter is added behind 1re part of the adopted person's name.

Example :

Theophilus Gautier adopt Kevin Monceau

Kevin's last name is Monceau Gautier.

Example :

Theophilus Gautier Dumas adopt Kevin Monceau Dupont

Kevin's last name is Monceau Gautier.

When the simple adoption procedure is completed, the adopter may request the renewal of the identity card and/or passport of the minor.

The adopter may also inform the authorities and bodies concerned by the new name of the adopted minor: health insurance, mutual insurance, etc

Plenary adoption

The adopted child takes the name of the adopter who replaces his or her original name.

Example :

Fabien Caron adopt Nathan Veron.

Once adopted, Nathan's last name is Caron.

The Court shall at the same time rule on the request for plenary adoption and on the name change.

The query is done on free paper or using the form cerfa no. 15742.

Please note

The adopter may apply to the court for a change of first name(s) of the adopted. If the adopted child is 13 years of age or older, the application must indicate that he or she has given his or her consent.

When the plenary adoption procedure is completed and a new birth certificate has been issued, the adopter may apply for the renewal of the identity card and/or passport of the minor.

The adopter may also inform the authorities and bodies concerned by the new name of the adopted minor: health insurance, mutual insurance, etc

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