Switzerland - Change Your Name (Deed Poll)

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Procedure

If the parents are married

Any child a married couple have is given the joint surname chosen by the couple when they got married, or if the parents have different surnames, the couple chooses one of these for the child.

The parents can still choose to change the childs surname to that of the other parent within a year of the childs birth. The surname chosen by the parents for their first child must also be given to all subsequent children.

Children of 12 or over must agree to any changes in their surname.

If the parents are not married

If only one parent has parental responsibility, from 1 July 2014 the child takes the surname that parent had before marriage. If both parents have parental authority, they can choose either of their surnames for the child. The surname chosen by the parents for their first child must also be given to all subsequent children, irrespective of which parent has parental authority.

Children of 12 or over must agree to any changes in their surname.

Choosing your name after marriage/registered partnership Under the new law (since 1.1.2013) both spouses keep their original surnames. They can still choose a shared family name if they want, however. In this case they must choose either the bride or the grooms surname. In registered partnerships, the couple can also choose one of the partners names as a shared family name.

Name changes after a divorce

The new legal provisions on names (since 2013) make it easier to change your name after a divorce.

Both people keep the family names they took when they got married unless they wish to revert to their old name. Changing back to your previous name

You can change back to the name you had before you got married at any time after the divorce. All you have to do is inform the civil register office.

What happens to the childrens names?

In principle, children keep the names they had before their parents divorced. However, if you decide to go back to your previous name and you have sole custody of the children, you can ask for their names to be changed as well.

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Required Documents

Certified copy of the final decree issued or certified by the official authority within 6 months, showing the exact date when judgment was entered into effect (filing date)

Copy of a legal document showing the new name (passport, identity document, etc.)

Important: The documents will not be returned to you. Photocopies and documents certified by a notary public will not be accepted.

Office Locations & Contacts

Federal Office of Civil Status
Bundesrain 20
CH-3003 Bern
Tel: +41 58 462 42 42
Fax: +41 58 464 26 55
Contact form
Addresses of Swiss Civil Register Offices
Civil Registry Offices
Database of Swiss Localities and Courts

Eligibility

In order to keep the family registers accurate and up-to-date, the Swiss authorities need to be informed about any changes in the civil status (birth, marriage, partnership, death and divorce) of Swiss citizens and dual nationals. When such changes occur, the persons concerned, or their nearest relatives, should send a complete and certified copy of the appropriate document/s (birth, death, marriage, partnership or divorce certificates) to the responsible Swiss representation.

Please note that these requirements are not set by the Swiss representations but by the respective cantonal offices in Switzerland. They make the final decisions whether the documents meet or do not meet the requirements.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Name Change (Namensnderung)

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

Civil status changes (marital status, birth of children, death, name change, etc.) must be communicated to the Swiss authorities. Failure to provide accurate documentation may impede future administrative procedures with the Swiss authorities and even hinder the issuance of new identity documents, i.e. passports, etc.

Required Information

• Your name as listed on birth certificate or immigration or citizenship documents.
• The full name you are applying to change to (if you are changing your name).
• Date and place of birth
• Marital status and details
• Places of residence for last three months
• Address for Correspondence

Need for the Document

In Switzerland, the civil status certificate is the most important official document regarding the civil identity of the individual. All changes in civil status marriage, birth of a child, acknowledgement of paternity as well as name changes must be registered by the civil register office.

In case you want to change your name, you will have to contact the civil register office of your place of origin.

You start off by choosing the canton and then your place of origin, where you can contact the civil register office and request for the particular form for name change.

Information which might help

The exact details of the process including forms, necessary documents and associated fees will change from the regulations of one canton to another. The best way to go about this is to browse through the website of Swiss government and the follow the relevant links1. Swiss nationals living abroad who wish to change their civil status details like names can order it through their local Swiss representation.

If you are contemplating a name change on account of marriage, the information in some of your personal documents will need to be updated. The documents that need changing are: your driving license, your passport , your ID card as well as your certificate of origin2.

However any approval for application for change of name is governed by the regulations of the particular cantonal government. According to article 30 of the Swiss Civil Code, there have to be adequately justifiable reasons, justes motifs, for the change of name, for instance if you can show that you suffer substantially from your present name since it is the same as that of a notorious criminal, you may be granted a name change. Other than the justifiability of your name change, you have to meet certain conditions regarding your age and residence status in Switzerland.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

You may want to change your name because:

• You have just gotten married
• You have divorced
• You just want a change
• In case of adoption

External Links

The Federal Authorities

Civil Status

Government Links

Federal Department of Justice and Police

Change of Name

Federal Office for Civil Status

Others

The most important thing to do to legally change your name is to start using your new name. Introduce yourself using your new name, fill out forms and applications under your new name, tell all of your family and friends to only refer to you using your new name, and tell your school and/or employer of your new name.

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.