Change usage surname

If you are married, have become a registered partner or widow or widower or you are divorced, you can have the use of your surname changed by the municipality. You can then choose:

• only your own surname
• only your partner's last name
• your partner's last name followed by your own last name
• your own last name followed by your partner's last name

Note! This is not the same as changing your own last name because you want another parent's last name or because your last name has a crazy meaning.

Name use

If you are married or in a registered partnership, you may use your partner's last name. This involves daily use of your partner's last name. The municipality, tax authorities, your health insurance company and other (government) agencies will write to you using the name you have chosen.

Your own official last name does not change. Official documents always include your own last name. For example, on your marriage certificate (name after marriage), passport, ID or driver's license. When applying for a passport, ID or driver's license, you can ask your municipality to include your partner's last name in the document as well. This will appear under your own name.

You arrange your name use in the municipality where you live. More information on name use can be found here on the government website page Ministry of Justice and Security.