Overview

Did you get married outside of Germany and want to change your name after you get married? In order to be able to change the name effectively under German law, a name declaration is required. You can only apply for a passport or identity card in the new name after you have received the name certificate from the responsible registry office in Germany.

If you want to form a married name according to German law, you can choose between the family name and maiden name of each spouse. The chosen married name automatically extends to all children born within the marriage or who will be born in the future.

Alternatively, you can determine your married name according to foreign law if one of the spouses has this foreign nationality. You then have a choice of names that are permitted by the foreign law. The married names chosen in this way do not automatically extend to the children born in the marriage.

Both spouses must sign the application in person when submitting the application.

Which documents do I have to submit?

Applications must be handed in personally at the German Embassy Windhoek and only after booking an appointment: How to book an appointment with the Consular Section - Auswärtiges Amt

All documents must be submitted as an original. You cannot make copies at the Embassy, please bring all necessary copies with you.

Foreign-language documents (exception: English and French) must be submitted with a translation into German or English.

Please provide the following documents:

• Fully completed form „Declaration on subsequent choice of law and determination of name in marriage“, not yet signed
  Form: Declaration on subsequent choice of law and determination of name in marriage (in German language) PDF / 56 KB
• Birth or parentage certificates of both spouses
• If applicable: Confirmation of deregistration of the last place of residence of the spouse in Germany
• If applicable: current residence permit of the spouse
• Valid passports of both spouses (other identification documents cannot be accepted) or, if applicable, the German identity card
• Marriage certificate
• if necessary, proof of the dissolution of marriage (e.g. divorce decree or death certificate)
• If a German spouse was naturalized in Germany: Naturalization certificate
• If a German spouse was naturalized in Namibia: Namibian naturalization certificate and German retention permit
• If you have children together: birth certificate (s)
  

Please note: this list concerns documents that have to be presented in routine cases. Since German naming law is very complex and many situations are possible, additional documents can be requested from the German Embassy Windhoek or the responsible Civil Registry in Germany in individual cases.

Fees

Fees apply to the diplomatic mission abroad. They must be paid in Namibian Dollar when applying. The Euro amount will be converted at the Embassy’s current exchange rate. Payment can be made in cash or with credit Card (Visa or MasterCard). List of fees.

Processing time

The German Embassy Windhoek has no influence on the processing times of the German registry offices and can therefore not provide any information about the status of the procedure. Please note that a German passport can only be issued as soon as the certificate of naming has been received from the Civil Registry.