Name change

If you want to change your name officially, there must be a reason for it. There are differences between first names and surnames. Here you can find out which reasons come into question and which documents you need for this.

How can I change my last name?

For what reasons can I change my last name?

If you want to have your family or last name changed, there must be a reason. Here are the most common reasons for a name change. If you need more detailed information, please contact the Service Unit Registry office and citizenship - Name change Unit Service Unit Registry office and citizenship - Name change .

The terms surname and last name are used interchangeably below:

• Your last name seems ridiculous or offensive.
• Your last name is difficult to pronounce or spell.
• You are of foreign origin and want a last name that will help you fit in at home. This application for a name change must be submitted within two years of acquiring Austrian citizenship.
• You want a surname that you used to have rightfully.
• The minor applicant is to be given the surname of the person who has custody or in whose permanent care he/she is.
• You wish to have a different surname ("desired name") for other legal reasons.

Resumption of a former surname

• After a marriage is divorced, former spouses do not automatically take their former last name.
• If you have taken the surname of your spouse, you can use this name in another marriage. Even your new spouse can take this surname.
• If you want to take a former surname again, you must apply for a readoption of the former surname. To do so, please contact the Service Unit Registry office and citizenship - Marriage .

After the divorce, the children from the marriage also keep the name determined at the time of the marriage.

If you were married before 2013 and would now like to adopt a double name in an ongoing marriage, or another surname that you had before the marriage, this is possible through an old case determination. Again, it is best to contact the Service Unit Registry office and citizenship - Marriage

How can I change my first name?

For what reasons can I have my first name changed?

To change your first name, you must have one of the legal reasons listed here:

• The previous first name seems ridiculous or offensive.
• The previous first name is difficult to pronounce or difficult to write.
• You are of foreign origin and want a first name that makes it easier for you to fit in at home. This application for a name change must be submitted within two years of acquiring Austrian citizenship.
• You want a first name that you used to have rightfully.
• You want another first name ("desired name") for other legal reasons.
• The minor adopted child is to be given a different first name(s) than it was given at birth. This application for a name change must be submitted within two years after an adoption or the acquisition of Austrian citizenship.
• After changing your religious affiliation, you want to receive a first name that has a special relationship to the current religious community or discard a first name that has a special relationship to the former religious community. This request must be submitted within two years of the change of religious affiliation.
• The first name does not correspond to your gender.

What documents do I need?

• Birth certificate
• possibly marriage certificate(s)
• possibly divorce decree or divorce decree with confirmation of legal effect
• Proof of citizenship
• Official photo identification
• possibly documentary proof of an academic degree