Simplified procedure for changing family name
Verified 25 août 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Evolution of the rules for requesting a name change under the simplified procedure
The request for a change of name under the simplified procedure, for an adult or a minor over 13 years old, must be accompanied by a document indicating the registration or the absence of registration in the Fijaisv: titleContent or at Fijait: titleContent. In addition, where the applicant has a foreigners birth certificate, he will have to prove that the name applied for is identical to the name in his foreigners birth certificate. An order in council must specify the conditions under which these provisions apply. That is what the law no. 2026-667 of 27 july 2026 to strengthen security, administrative detention and the prevention of attack risks
In the meantime, the information presented on this sheet remains valid.
Step-by-step approach
If you want to change your last name for a legitimate reason (for example, a name that is difficult to wear), you can use the procedure for change of name by decree.
The simplified name change procedure allows to bear the name of the parent who did not transmit his/her own :
- Either in adding the name of this parent to your current last name, in the order you want.
- Either in substitute your current last name by the name of this parent.
You can use this procedure once in your life.
The procedure is different if you want to change your name for a legitimate reason, for example because your name is difficult to bear (procedure for change of name by decree).
However, using the simplified procedure does not prevent you from later requesting a name change by decree.
Likewise, having obtained a name change (by decree, judicial decision, simple adoption, collective effect of name change, etc.) does not prevent you from subsequently using the simplified name change procedure.
Warning
Another procedure is provided for bear the name of your spouse (common name) or if you want francize your first and last names by obtaining french nationality (francization).
Infographie - I want to change my last name: what procedure?
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First situation: I wish to bear the name of the parent (father, mother) who did not transmit his.
For example, by adding the name of this parent to my current name, in the order I want.
I have to request a name change via the simplified name change procedure
Main features of the procedure:
- Duration: about one month
- Who to contact: town hall
- Cost: free
Second situation: I want to wear a name that is not that of one of my parents (father, mother) for a motivated reason (legitimate reason).
For example, my name is hard to wear.
Main features of the procedure:
- Duration: several months, sometimes several years
- Who to contact: Ministry of Justice
- Cost: paid (variable)
Namely: you can use the simplified name change procedure only once in your lifetime.
The simplified name change procedure is open to the following persons:
- French born in France
- French born abroad whose birth has been declared at the French consular posts, or who has had his foreigners birth certificate transcribed to the central civil registration service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Foreigner born in France
- Person enjoying international protection.
You must be major or emancipated minor.
A person of full age who is the subject of a judicial protection measure (guardianship, curatorship) itself makes the request for a change of name.
You can be represented by a lawyer.
FYI
You cannot use this procedure to request a name change for your minor child.
You can only choose from the names on your birth certificate :
- your father's name,
- or your mother's name,
- or their 2 names joined in the order you want and within the limit of one name for each of your parents.
Example :
You have a simple name BELIER:
Name of your father: BELIER
Name of your mother: DUMONT
You can choose the following names: BELIER DUMONT, DUMONT BELIER, DUMONT
Example :
You have a simple name DURAND
Dual name from your father: BELIER FORCE
Name of your mother: DURAND
You can choose the following names: DURAND BELIER, BELIER DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DURAND, BELIER GORCE, BELIER GORCE
Example :
You have a double name BELIER: GORCE
Dual name from your father: BELIER FORCE
Dual name from your mother: DURAND DUPONT
You can choose the following names: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DUPONT DUPONT, DURAND, DUPONT, BELIER, GORCE
Example :
You have a double name composed of the name of each of your parents BELIER: DURAND
Dual name from your father: BELIER FORCE
Dual name from your mother: DURAND DUPONT
You can choose the following names: DURAND BELIER, BELIER GORCE, DURAND DUPONT, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, DUPONT GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DURAND, DUPONT, BELIER, GORCE
Example :
You have a simple name DURAND
Dual name from your father: BELIER FORCE
Dual name from your mother: DURAND DUPONT
You can choose the following names: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, DUPONT, GORCE DUPONT, DURAND DUPONT, BELIER GORCE, DUPONT, BELIER, GORCE
Example :
You have a plain name obtained by order in council SHEPHERD
Name simple from your father: BELIER
Dual name from your mother: DURAND DUPONT
You can choose the following names: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, DURAND DUPONT, DUPONT, BELIER, DURAND
If you have been adopted by simple adoption, you can choose to take the name of your parents of origin and/or your adoptive parents.
If you choose to have a double name with one of the words corresponding to the adoptive parent's name, this double name cannot be passed on to the next generation.
Example :
You have a compound name obtained by simple adoption DUBOIS-BERGER
Dual name of your adoptive father SHEPHERD MARTIN
Dual name of your adoptive mother BELIER: AUBERT
Dual name of your parent DUBOIS: FORCE
Dual name of your mother of origin DURAND DUPONT
You can choose the following names: DUBOIS, GORCE, DURAND, DUPONT, BERGER, MARTIN, BELIER, AUBERT, DUBOIS GORCE, DUBOIS DURAND, DUBOIS DUPONT, DUBOIS BERGER, DUBOIS MARTIN, DUBOIS BELIER, DUBOIS AUBERT, GORCE DURAND, GORCE DUPONT, GORCE BERGER, GORCE MARTIN, GORCE BELIER, GORCE AUBERT, DUPONT DUPONT, DURAND BERGER, DURAND MARTIN, DURAND AUBERT, DURAND DUBOIS, DURAND GORCE, DUPONT DUBOIS, DUPONT BERGER, DUPONT MARTIN, DUPONT AUBERT, BERGER, BERGER BERGER GORCE, BERGER DURAND, BERGER DUPONT, MARTIN DUBOIS, MARTIN GORCE, MARTIN DURAND, MARTIN DUPONT, MARTIN BELIER, MARTIN AUBERT, BELIER DUBOIS, BELIER GORCE, BELIER DURAND, BELIER DUPONT, BELIER BERGER, BELIER MARTIN, BELIER AUBERT, AUBERT DUBOIS, AUBERT GORCE, AUBERT DURAND, AUBERT DUPONT, AUBERT BERGER, AUBERT MARTIN
A double name is recorded as follows in the civil status records :
- The 1re line indicates the surname and the 2 parts that form it are separated by a simple space.
- The 2from This line specifies that it is a split double name.
Example :
Last name: DURAND DUPOND
(1re part: DURAND 2from part: DUPOND)
The change of your name impact your children's names, minors or adults, who bear your name, in whole or in part.
If your child has under 13, inform the other parent of the consequences of your name change on that of your common child.
When your child has 13 years and older, it must give consent to have his name changed. This agreement must be reached at the latest the day you confirm your name change request.
If your child aged 13 years and over is no deal, he keep his name.
FYI
The agreement of your children aged 13 years and over for their name change is provided for in the form of demand.
Example :
Dual name of the child before the procedure for changing the name of his mother: MARTIN DURAND
Name of his father: MARTIN
Name of his mother: DURAND
His mother's new name: BERNARD
The new name of the child, subject to his agreement if he is 13 years old and over: MARTIN BERNARD
Example :
Dual name of the child before the procedure for changing his mother's name: MARTIN BERNARD
Name of his father: MARTIN
Name of his mother: BERNARD
New double name of his mother: BERNARD AUBERT
The new name of the child, according to the choice of the mother and subject to her agreement if he is 13 years old and over: MARTIN BERNARD (no change) or MARTIN AUBERT
Example :
Name simple of the child before the procedure for changing the name of his mother: MARTIN
Name of his mother: DURAND
Dual name of his father: MARTIN DUBOIS
New name of his father: DUBOIS
The new name of the child, subject to his agreement if he is 13 years old and over: DUBOIS
Example :
Name compound before the procedure for changing the name of the adoptive father: DUBOIS-BERGER
Name of his adoptive father: BERGER
New name of his adoptive father: PETIT
The new name of the child, subject to his agreement if he is 13 years old and over: DUBOIS-PETIT
Please note
A child, adult or minor, whose name has been changed, may, from the age of 18 if he was a minor, apply to change his surname using the simplified procedure.
You must complete the cerfa family name change application form n°16229:
Read it package leaflet attached to the form before completing it.
The form contains a consent template for your children aged 13 and over.
You must attach the following documents to the form, depending on your situation:
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Your birth certificate is held by a town hall or by the Central Civil Status Service (Scec)
You must attach the following documents to the form:
- Proof of your identity and your nationality(s). For example: copy of the identity card, certificate of French nationality.
- Proof of home. For example: rent receipt, tax assessment, water, telephone bill, etc. If you are staying with another person, you must provide proof of that person's domicile, a copy of their identity card and a sworn statement from that person that you are staying with them. You can use a model of attestation on honor.
- Criminal Record Bulletin No. 3
- Proofs of your marital status and the civil status of the persons concerned by your name change:
- Full copy of your birth certificate less than 3 months old
- If you are married, a full copy of your spouse's birth certificate dated less than 3 months
- If you are married, full copy of your marriage certificate dated less than 3 months
- If you are entered into a civil partnership, full copy of your partner's birth certificate less than 3 months old
- If you have children, full copy of the birth certificate of each of your children under 3 months old
- If your children are married, a full copy of the marriage certificate of each of your children less than 3 months old.
You have a birth certificate issued by the French office for the protection of refugees and stateless people (Ofpra)
- Proof of your identity and your nationality. For example: copy of the identity card, certificate of French nationality.
- Proof of home. For example: rent receipt, tax assessment, water, telephone bill, etc. If you are staying with another person, you must provide proof of that person's domicile, a copy of their identity card and a sworn statement from that person that you are staying with them. You can use a model of attestation on honor.
- Criminal Record Bulletin No. 3
- Proofs of your marital status and the civil status of the persons concerned by your name change:
- Full copy of the certificate in lieu of birth certificate issued by theOfpra and less than 3 months old
- If you are married, a full copy of your spouse's birth certificate dated less than 3 months
- If you are married, full copy of your marriage certificate dated less than 3 months
- If you are entered into a civil partnership, full copy of your partner's birth certificate less than 3 months old
- If you have children, full copy of the birth certificate of each of your children under 3 months old
- If your children are married, a full copy of the marriage certificate of each of your children less than 3 months old.
You must submit or send your request for a change of name (form completed, dated and signed with supporting documents):
- at the town hall of your residence,
- or if you were born in France, at the town hall that holds your birth certificate,
- or if you reside abroad, at the embassy or consulate of France, competent because of the place of your domicile,
- or if you have a certificate in lieu of a birth certificate, at the French office for the protection of refugees and stateless people (Ofpra).
Who shall I contact
On site
French office for the protection of refugees and stateless people (Ofpra)
201 Carnot Street
94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex
Reception of the public upon summons
By phone
01 58 68 10 10
On the internet
https://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/dossier/informations-utiles/contacter-lofpra
FYI
If the registrar prevents the proper conduct of the procedure, you can send your request for a change of name to the public prosecutor of the place where you were born.
Who shall I contact
You are contacted by the registrar to come confirm in person your willingness to change your name.
This confirmation will take place at the earliest one month after receipt of your request.
You are contacted by phone, SMS, email.....
If your marital status has changed since the date of your application, you must provide a new full copy of your updated civil status document.
Warning
Once you have confirmed your application and if it is accepted, your name change is final. If you want to change your last name again in the future, you will need to use the procedure for change of name by decree.
In case of difficulty, especially if there is doubt about the link between parentage between you and the parent whose name you want to bear, the registrar seizes the public prosecutor.
They must also refer you to the public prosecutor if you have been convicted of a terrorist offense, a sexual offense committed against a minor, a violation of an exit ban or a failure to comply with the obligations to control return to the national territory. Likewise, it must refer to the prosecutor if you are registered in the Fijait: titleContent or at Fijaisv: titleContent.
The registrar must inform you that he has referred the matter to the public prosecutor.
If the prosecutor objects to your request for a change of name, he or she will inform you of the decision and the reasons for its refusal.
The refusal decision indicates how to challenge the refusal decision.
The lawyer is mandatory. He is responsible for the process.
The registrar you notified your name change.
It sends you a copy and indicates the civil registrars requested to update the civil status documents concerned by your name change.
Subsequently, you can request the issuance of updated civil status documents from these civil status officers.
For example, your marriage certificate.
Once the civil status documents concerned by your name change have been updated, you must request the renewal of your identity card and/or your passport.
You must do the step in a 3 months delay from the update of your birth certificate.
This approach is mandatory even if your identity documents are still valid.
This approach is free of charge if you provide the national identity card and/or passport you are requesting to be renewed.
After renewing your identity card and/or passport, you must also apply to renew your driver's license and your vital card.
Don't forget to communicate your name change to the authorities and organizations concerned by your name change.
Please note
Using an identity document that does not correspond to your marital status is punishable by a maximum of 5 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to €50,000.
Provided that the law of your nationality authorizes the change of name, your identity documents must take into account your changed name.
You must provide the competent authorities with the record of the name by the registrar French. You can download the circular of 15 june 2023, which contains a model of that document in annex 2-1 (page 32).
Simplified name change procedure (Article 61(3)(1))
Rules of surname
Document template
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Ministry of Justice