Would you like to change, add or remove an official first name? The usual Dutch procedure is a petition to the court submitted by a lawyer. You need to explain your interest in the change, and the proposed name must be legally permissible. A municipality cannot simply replace any first name in a birth certificate on request. After a favourable court decision, further steps are needed before the change is properly recorded and your documents can be replaced. Applications concerning a child or a foreign birth certificate need additional preparation.
Updated 29 October 2026. General information about Dutch law; the appropriate procedure depends on your circumstances.
Official first name, everyday name and registration errors
Many people use an everyday name that differs from their official first names. Using that name at work, school or with a bank does not change the birth certificate. If you want the name to appear in official records and identity documents, you need to follow the appropriate legal procedure.
An obvious error in a certificate is a different issue from deliberately replacing an existing name. First establish what was originally registered and why. Correction or supplementation of a certificate may be appropriate; in other cases, an application under Article 1:4 of the Dutch Civil Code is needed. Identifying the issue first helps avoid unnecessary proceedings.
Which reasons can support an application?
A first name may no longer reflect your identity, cause persistent practical problems or be associated with distressing experiences. Religion, bullying, the meaning of a name in another language and long-standing use of a different first name may also be relevant. The court assesses the individual circumstances and your interest in the requested change.
No list of reasons guarantees approval. Explain why changing the official record matters to you and why simply using a different everyday name does not sufficiently address the problem. Keep the account personal and factual, without exaggerating the consequences.
How can you substantiate your reasons?
Prepare a short timeline of the circumstances associated with your current name. Explain when the problems began and how you already use the proposed name. Correspondence, statements about long-term name use or other relevant documents may help, depending on the reason for your application.
A medical statement is not required in every case. Professional information may be relevant if psychological consequences are central, but you should not automatically provide your entire medical file. Your lawyer can help identify the necessary information. Use the same spelling of the proposed name throughout your documents.
Can you choose any first name?
No. Article 1:4 of the Dutch Civil Code sets limits. Inappropriate first names are not allowed. A name corresponding to an existing surname is generally not permitted unless it is also a customary first name. Checking the proposed name is therefore part of preparing the application.
Decide on the exact spelling, accents, order and number of first names. Replacing one name, adding an additional name and removing existing names are different requests. The petition should state your complete intended name clearly. The court considers the change requested; it does not choose from a list of possible alternatives for you.
Is a lawyer mandatory?
Yes. A lawyer must submit the petition for the usual first-name-change procedure in the Dutch district court. The lawyer assesses the route, prepares and files the petition and attachments, handles procedural correspondence and explains the steps after the decision.
You can prepare your own timeline and explanation. Before giving instructions, ask which work the fee covers: checking documents, filing, a possible hearing, further correspondence and completion after the decision. A foreign birth certificate may involve additional work. Clear arrangements help prevent unexpected costs.
Which documents are usually needed?
The court needs information about your identity and the birth record to which the change relates. This may include a complete copy of the birth certificate, relevant Personal Records Database (BRP) information and evidence supporting your reasons. The exact requirements depend on the court and the circumstances.
Check for later entries on the certificate, including earlier name changes. Explain differences between names shown on different documents. Where required, provide the original-language document and a suitable translation. A photograph of only the first page may not contain enough information. Ask which documents to obtain before paying for them.
Changing a minor child’s first name
The application must be made on behalf of the child by an authorised legal representative. Parental responsibility and the other parent’s position must be established. The court assesses the child’s interests; a parent’s wish to move on from a relationship is not automatically the same as the child’s interest in a different name.
Explain how the child experiences the current name, which name the child uses and what the change would mean. Consider the child’s age, development and own views. Rechtspraak states that children aged eight and over are invited to a child interview in these proceedings. This is not the same as the consent rules for surname changes through Justis.
What if the other parent does not agree?
If one parent submits the application, the other parent’s position must be explained. A statement of agreement may be needed; if it is unavailable, the reason must be given. A parent without parental responsibility may still need to be involved as an interested party.
A refusal does not automatically give an absolute veto over every first name change. The court applies the relevant rules and assesses the interests involved. Your lawyer can explain which statements or responses are necessary. Describe the disagreement factually and keep the application focused on the name and the child’s interests.
How does the court procedure work?
The lawyer files a petition with supporting documents. The court checks the application and may request further information. Many cases can be decided on the written papers, so a hearing is not always necessary.
If a hearing is scheduled, follow the summons and discuss attendance with your lawyer. The judge may ask about your reasons, the proposed name or the position of a child and other interested parties. A written decision follows. Timing varies: a complete, uncontested application and a disputed international case do not necessarily take the same amount of time.
What if you were born outside the Netherlands?
A foreign birth certificate requires particular attention. The eventual change must be linked to the appropriate civil-status record. Depending on the circumstances, registration of the foreign birth certificate in The Hague or another legal procedure may be necessary. A BRP entry does not automatically mean that a Dutch birth certificate exists.
Gather the complete foreign certificate and check translation and legalisation requirements. If documents cannot be obtained, establishing the birth details may require an additional procedure. Ask your lawyer to check early which authority holds the relevant record and must process the later entry.
Dual nationality and foreign documents
A Dutch name change is not automatically processed in the same way by every other country. Your nationalities, the applicable naming law and foreign recognition rules may matter. Book 10 of the Dutch Civil Code contains Dutch international naming rules, while foreign authorities may require additional steps for their own records.
Check the consequences for a Turkish or other foreign passport before filing. A separate registration or procedure abroad may be necessary. Differences between documents can raise questions when travelling or carrying out official transactions. Where needed, obtain confirmation of the foreign procedure from a professional in that country.
Changing your first name and surname together
Wanting to change both does not automatically create one combined application. A first name change usually goes through the court; a surname change generally requires an appropriate route through Justis. The conditions, fees and processing times differ.
Discuss the order of applications and how to avoid unnecessary repeat costs for certificates and identity documents without missing deadlines. Mention another pending name procedure where relevant. Our separate guides explain changing an adult’s surname and changing a child’s surname.
How much does a first name change cost?
Costs usually include the lawyer’s fee, the court fee and any charges for certificates, translations or additional proceedings. There is no single amount that is correct for every case. A fixed-fee offer is only useful if you know what it includes and which circumstances may lead to extra work.
Ask for a breakdown covering any hearing, additional documents and completion after the decision. Depending on your financial position and the legal-aid rules, subsidised legal assistance may be possible; eligibility is assessed separately. Court fees must be checked when filing. The ordinary Justis fee of €835 for an adult surname application is not a fixed price for changing a first name.
How long does it take, and when can you use the new official name?
Timing depends on the completeness of the documents, responses from interested parties, any hearing and processing after the decision. A favourable decision does not necessarily mean that new identity documents can be issued the next day. The decision’s legal status and the required entry in the civil-status record must first be checked.
An appeal period of three months can be relevant; your lawyer should confirm the starting point and rules for your procedural position. The later entry in the birth record and subsequent administrative processing are essential steps. Ask for a completion checklist instead of relying on a promised universal completion date.
What must you arrange after the change?
Check that your birth record and BRP details have been updated correctly. Then apply for replacement identity documents where necessary. A passport, identity card or driving licence is not automatically replaced when the court makes its decision. Take care with travel bookings in the old name.
Inform relevant organisations, such as your employer, bank, insurer and educational institution, using official proof if requested. Keep the decision and updated certificate safely. They help explain why older diplomas, contracts or ownership records show another name. The change does not create a new person or erase existing rights and obligations.
What can you do if the court refuses the application?
First identify why the application was refused. The issue may be the reasons for the change, the proposed name, the applicant’s legal position or the documents. Simply repeating the application in different words will not necessarily address the problem.
Discuss promptly whether an appeal is available and worthwhile, and which deadline applies. A lawyer can assess the reasoning and whether further evidence may help. In some cases a different procedure, such as correcting a certificate, better addresses the actual issue.
Example: an everyday name and a foreign birth certificate
This example is fictional. An adult has used the same everyday name for many years, while official documents show a different first name. This regularly causes confusion. The person was born abroad and assumes that a short request to the municipality will be enough.
The lawyer first checks the birth record and international naming rules. The application then explains the history of name use and why an official change matters. At the same time, the lawyer establishes which record must be updated after the decision. Preparing both the reasons and the practical implementation helps the procedure reach a usable result.
Preparing your request
Write down your current full name and the exact full name you want. Explain why the change matters and identify a few relevant supporting documents. Mention foreign birth, all nationalities, earlier proceedings and parental responsibility if a child is involved.
Start your enquiry with this outline. Do not send a complete medical file or unnecessary copies of identity documents in an initial message. Ask which documents are needed and how to provide them securely. Contact Arslan Advocaten to discuss the appropriate procedure, the work involved and the costs before an application is submitted.
Discuss your name change with our family law team.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my first name directly at the municipality?
The usual official first name change requires a court petition submitted by a lawyer. Correcting a registration error or changing an everyday name may involve a different route.
Can I also add or remove a first name?
Yes, that can form part of the request. The court considers your interest and whether the proposed names are allowed. State the complete intended name and order precisely.
Do I always need a medical statement?
No. The evidence depends on your reasons. Professional information can help where psychological consequences are central, but a full medical file is not automatically required.
Do I have to attend a hearing?
Many cases are handled in writing. If the court schedules a hearing, follow the summons and discuss attendance with your lawyer.
Can I change my child’s first name without the other parent’s agreement?
Parental responsibility and the other parent’s position must be assessed. Missing agreement must be explained. The court considers the child’s interests; the Justis rules for surnames do not automatically apply.
Are my passport and driving licence automatically updated?
No. The legal and administrative steps must first be completed. You then need to arrange replacement documents where required.
Official sources
- Rechtspraak: voornaam wijzigen
- Rechtspraak: procedure
- Rechtspraak: kosten
- Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1
- Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 10
