Usage name: use of the name of his wife or husband

Verified 21 juillet 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

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  • Using or Removing a Usage Name
  • Name of spouse
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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 possibility to use a usage name is optional and is not automatic. It is a personal choice which cannot be imposed on you.

Whether you are a man or a woman, you can use as a usage name the last name the person you are married to.

You can use as usage:

  • or the last name of your spouse,
  • either your last name next to your spouse's last name in the order you want, and within the limit of one last name for each.

Example :

Simple name of the 1er husband and double name of 2d spouse

Simple name of the 1er spouse: BELIER

Dual name of the 2d spouse: MARTIN AUBERT

The 1er spouses may choose the following names for their use: MARTIN AUBERT, BELIER MARTIN, MARTIN BELIER, BELIER AUBERT, AUBERT BELIER.

Example :

Compound name for each spouse

Name of 1er Husband: BELIER-GORCE

Name of 2nd Husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er The spouse may choose the following names as his or her usual name: BELIER-GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER-GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT.

Example :

Dual name of the 1er spouse and name composed of 2nd spouse

Name of 1er husband: BELIER GORCE

Name of 2nd Husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er Spouse may choose the following names as their usual name: BELIER MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER, GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT.

Warning  

You may not use the name of your cohabiting partner or Civil partnership partner as your usage name.

No, the choice of a usage name has no effect on the last name of your common child.

Thus, your child's last name can be your name, your spouse's name, or your two names together.

Your common child's last name may be the same or different from your usual name.

FYI  

You can also choose a usage name for your minor child.

After a divorce, you lose the use of your husband's or wife's name.

However, you may retain the use of the license with the consent of your ex-spouse or ex-wife, or with the consent of the judge.

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With the consent of your ex-husband or ex-wife

You may retain the use of your ex-spouse's name with his consent. This agreement must be formalized in writing.

The agreement can be temporary. For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.

The agreement can be limited to your professional activity.

Please note

Your ex-husband or ex-wife can at any time ask the judge, via his lawyer, to cancel this agreement.

With the agreement of the judge

The judge may allow you to continue using the name of your ex-spouse. You can ask the judge for permission at the time of or after divorce.

You must justify a particular interest for yourself or your children. This is the case, for example, if you are known by this name in your professional activity.

The agreement can be temporary. For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.

The agreement can be limited to your professional activity.

FYI  

Authorization to use the name of the former spouse ceases in case of remarriage.

Yes, you can continue to use the name of your deceased spouse as usage name.

You have no steps to take.

If you wish, you can include the mention on your papers widower or widow in front of last name of your spouse. However, this addition is only possible if your usage name is the name of your spouse. Simply tick this choice in the relevant form.

Example :

Your birth name is Dupont.

The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.

You used Martin as a common name instead of your birth name Dupont.

You can continue to use Martin as a common name.

You can choose to include the widower statement: Dupont widower Martin.

Example :

Your birth name is Dupont.

The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.

You used Dupont Martin as a common name.

You can continue to use Dupont Martin as a common name.

FYI  

In case of remarriage, you can no longer include the last name of your deceased spouse on your identity card or any other administrative document.

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

Once the request is made, the administration must use the username in the letters it sends you. You must inform the various organizations the chosen usage name.

One online service allows a change of name to be reported to the health insurance and family allowance fund (Caf):

Declaration of change of usual name (name of spouse)

FYI  

If you no longer want the usage name to be used, just inform your interlocutors. You don't need to provide proof.

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