Name Change- Germany

[LoganSF1]

Where would one go to change their name in post war Germany? Would it be through the courts, bureau of vital statistics or other? Thanks for your help!

[kahaokamoku]

Interesting question. I thought about that several times because a lot of "east blocks" change their names. They want to "fit" in. It is funny. I'll ask my wife. She would know.

I even know americans who have strong american names and have taken their wives names to "avoid" sticking out. I call it weak, but to each his own.

Some go to extremes and become catholic here in Southern Bavaria. I argued with one once because I said if you lived up north would you become a protestant.


Post War . . . that's kind of funny . . . how about reunified . . .

I will check on the name change.

[Fortean]

A petition would go to the president of a Higher Regional Court, ("Oberlandesgericht"), of the German region, where the petitioner resides. And, I believe that a newspaper advertisement regarding the change of name is required in the local newspaper. One's original family name, ("begleitname"), may still be required on some forms, for identification purposes, (such as marriage licenses). Minor changes, which are accepted under British Common Law without a court's ruling, (such as dropping personal names, for example, using "John Doe" or "George Doe," when given the birth name of "John George Doe"), probably require a court ruling in Germany. Pseudonyms are accepted in the writing and acting professions, but their contracts undoubtedly require one's legal name. A marriage certificate would automatically give the husband's family name to the wife, tho this may have changed in more recent years.

[LoganSF1]

Thank you very much! :)