Change of name

Verified 25 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Evolution of the rules for requesting a change of first name

The request for a change of first name, 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, except in exceptional cases, that the first name applied for is identical to that appearing 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 addition, from 1er in october 2026, the procedure for affixing the mention of a judicial decision to change the first name on the civil status documents is simplified. That is what the Decree n°2026-683 of 27 July 2026 known as « Magicobus III ».

In the meantime, the information presented on this sheet remains valid.

You wish change first name and you wonder how to apply? We tell you the information to know and the steps of the process.

Step-by-step approach

The first 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.

The change of first name may concern an adult or a minor:

Major

You make the request for yourself.

Since 1er July 2022, a major under guardianship may request to change his first name without being represented by his guardian.

Minor

The request must be made by the legal representative of the child.

If the child has over 13 years old, sound agreement is necessary.

In case joint exercise of parental authority, the request to change the first name must be made by the 2 parents, legal representatives of the child.

If the parents are separate and disagree, the parent who wishes to request the change of first name must refer the matter to the family court judge.

You can ask to change your first name.

You can also ask:

  • The addition of a given name
  • Deletion of a given name
  • The modification of the order your first names.

The request for a change of first name must have a legitimate interest.

Examples of reasons that may constitute a legitimate interest: prolonged use of a given name other than that appearing in the civil status, deletion of a given name deemed ridiculous and/or association of surname(s)/given names deemed ridiculous, addition or deletion of a hyphen between 2 given names following prolonged use, transidentiality of the applicant.

The request for a change of first name must not be contrary to the interests of the child or to rights of other persons to have their surname protected.

Reminder

Any given name entered in the birth certificate may be chosen as the usual given name, whatever its order.

The approach is free of charge.

The file to be compiled to make a request for a change of first name is different depending on whether you are an adult or a minor:

Major

You must create a file with the application form and supporting documents.

Form

Fill out the form cerfa no. 16233.

Proof of identity and residence

  • Original full copy of your birth certificate or a full copy of the certificate in lieu of a birth certificate issued by theOfpra: titleContent , less than 3 months old
  • Valid proof of identity. You must present the original.
  • Copy of a recent proof of address. If you are hosted by another person, proof of recent residence of the person hosting you + attestation on honor the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation.

Elements concerning the interest of the application

Depending on your situation, you can provide the following documents (this list is indicative). Copies are enough.

  • Childhood or schooling. For example, birth certificate, health record book, family booklet, diplomas.
  • Professional life. For example, employment contract, attestation of co-workers (accompanied by ID), professional emails.
  • Administrative life. For example, old or current identity documents, invoices, tax notices, proof of address.
  • Personal life (family, friends, hobbies). For example, certificates of relatives, certificate of registration for a leisure activity.

If you wish, you can attach medical certificates indicating the difficulties you encounter because of your first name. However, it is optional : no medical documents are required, regardless of the reason why you are asking to change your first name.

Civil status documents to be updated following the change of first name

Depending on your situation, you must provide the original full copies the following acts:

  • Act of marriage
  • Act of birth of your spouse(s) or civil partnership partner
  • Act of birth of each of your children.

Other documents

Minor

You must create a file with the application form and supporting documents.

Form

Fill out the form cerfa no. 16234.

The legal representative (or legal representatives) of the minor must sign the form.

The form contains a section about the consent of a minor over 13 years of age change of his first name. A minor over 13 years of age must sign the form.

Proof of the identity of the minor's legal representative

  • Valid proof of identity of the child's legal representative(s). You must present the original(s).
  • If necessary, proof that you are the legal representative of the minor (copy of the declaration of joint exercise of parental authority, simple judicial decision, judicial decision ruling on parental authority, full copy of the death certificate of a parent, deliberation of the family council, decision of the department services, etc.).

Proof of residence of the minor's legal representative

You must provide a recent proof of address.

If you are hosted by another person, you must provide a recent proof of address of the person hosting you + attestation on honor the person who is hosting you certifying the accommodation.

Proof of identity of the minor

  • Original full copy of the birth certificate of the child or full copy of the certificate in lieu of the child's birth certificate issued by theOfpra: titleContent , less than 3 months old
  • Valid proof of identity. You must present the original.

Elements concerning the interest of the application

Depending on the child's situation, you can provide the following documents (this list is indicative). Copies are enough.

  • Childhood or schooling. For example, birth certificate, health record book, family booklet, diplomas.
  • Personal life (family, friends, hobbies). For example, certificates of relatives, certificate of registration for a leisure activity.

If you wish, you can attach medical certificates indicating the difficulties you encounter because of your first name. However, it is optional : no medical documents are required, regardless of the reason why you are asking to change your first name.

Civil status documents to be updated following the change of first name

  • Birth certificate of the child

Other documents

Please note

The request for a change of first name can be made separately or at the same time as another procedure. For example, acquisition of French nationality (francization of the first name), change in the indication of sex on civil status records, rectification of a material error on a civil status document.

You must submit your request to change your first name (form completed, dated and signed with the 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).

One receipt for submission of the application is handed to you.

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

If the registrar considers that your request to change your first name has no legitimate interest, he must seize 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.

The public prosecutor can accept or refuse your request to change your first name.

The decision is yours notified.

In case of refusal decision, you can make an appeal with the family judge.

The lawyer is mandatory. He is responsible for the process.

FYI  

If you request to change your first name on the basis of your transidentiality, the decision of the registrar must not be based on the adequacy or lack of adequacy between your physical appearance and the first name requested. The first name requested may be a neutral first name, epicene, female or male.

You will receive a copy of the decision regarding your change of first name.

Your civil status records are updated.

Once your birth certificate has been updated, you must change your identity documents (identity card, passport).

You must do the step in a 3 months delay from the update of your birth certificate.

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.

Request for change of first name

Request to change the first name of a minor child

On the same subject

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