How to Change Name or Surname In France?

If you’re wondering how to change your name in France, you’re not alone. This is a frequently asked question for British passport holders and expats living in France. There are several reasons someone may need to do this, with marriage perhaps the most obvious. However, people may need to apply for a change of name due to other circumstances, including a desire to change birth names, divorce, changing a child’s surname to match the mother’s or transgender name changes.

Regardless of the reason, the reality is that while changing names isn’t particularly out of the ordinary in the UK, in France, it’s not common practice. Generally, the French government will need to see “motif légitime” (a legitimate reason) for requests like this. Although that is still the case, a slight relaxation in some cases loosens it. Here’s all you need to know.

New Law on Name Change

On 1st July 2022, a new law simplified the process of requesting a name change in France. These changes specifically target chosen surnames (to level the playing field between maternal and paternal surnames) and people who would like to change their birth names. Here is what the new law covers:

•    A relaxation on chosen surname changes – this is to simplify the process for mothers who want to add their surname to a child’s birth certificate. They can do this without the other parent’s approval by visiting the town hall or the police station.
•    Changing birth names – people can now change their names once in their lifetime, to add or substitute the names on their birth certificate. This can be done through a dedicated form at the town hall.

Changing Name for Expats in France

It’s essential to research current advice around any legal issues like this. Laws and processes can change and official departments are your best first port of call. Currently, the government’s website holds all the information you need, including noting the recently simplified procedures outlined above. To give you a sense of the current steps to name changes, you’ll need to:

•    Understand which procedure meets your situation and whether you are eligible for the simplified name change process.
•    Check who needs to fill out the request.

At that point, the processes differ depending on whether you need to follow the “legitimate reason” protocol or the simplified procedure.

Name Changes when Getting Married

As mentioned right at the start, one of the obvious reasons for a name change is marriage. The interesting thing is that, unlike the UK, in France, maiden names are not automatically changed when you get married. Generally speaking, the French authorities don’t consider it an issue if people continue to use their maiden name; that said, Brits may want to change theirs to reflect their family name.

To do this, visit the dedicated page on the French authority’s website to get up-to-date advice. At the time of writing, this involves adding your “nom d’usage” to paperwork, which roughly translates to your user name. There are different forms to fill out depending on whether you’re married, divorced or a widower/widow.

The Bottom Line

Changing your name in France is still more difficult than in the UK in most cases, but the simplification of rules for changing your birth or family name does offer advantages for those in that situation. Ultimately, if in doubt about whether to change your name or the processes involved, contact the authorities for sound advice.

We hope this helps, and if you are residing in France permanently, you may be interested in other articles about how to apply for French nationality or about Ameli, the online system to keep on top of your CPAM activity and reimbursements for your medical contributions or how to choose home and contents Insurance.

And if you’re in research mode, learning about the various aspects about a potential purchase and move, take a moment to go through our comprehensive guides to buying a property.