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Civil Status

Apply for a name change after divorce

Declaration to the Registry Office regarding the resumption of one’s maiden name or a previously used name after the divorce becomes final.

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Damit wir Apply for a name change after divorce mit dem zuständigen Standesamt in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

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Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a name change after divorce.

Processing: 1 daySuccess rate: 99.0 %
Last reviewed: August 03, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Final divorce decree · Antrag oder schriftliche Anfrage

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    In person or by post at the office

  4. 4

    Costs

    10–15 € je Urkunde, Trauung ab ca. 50 € – je nach Gemeinde

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Submit a declaration at the registry office

    With a final divorce decree and a current ID card.

  2. 2

    Receive a certificate of name change

    The registry office issues a certificate.

  3. 3

    Update your ID card and passport

    Apply for new documents at the Department of Citizen Services.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Divorced individuals who wish to drop their married name and resume using their birth name or a previous name.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. 1 day

Success rate

approx. 99.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Name change not fully updated with government agencies (ID card, passport, banks)
  • Declaration made long after the divorce (possible at any time, but easier to do sooner)

Common reasons for rejection

    Alternatives

    • Check related services in the application assistant
    • Use social counselling before applying

    If rejected

    Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.

    Questions & Answers

    Wie lange dauert Namensänderung nach Scheidung beantragen?

    In der Regel ca. 1 Werktage – je nach Behörde und Auslastung.

    Freshness & source

    Maintenance
    Continuously reviewed & updated
    Source
    Bundesportal (verwaltung.bund.de)
    Data quality
    91 %

    Read more

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