Choosing a child's first name and surname
Last updated more than 5 years ago
When a declaration of birth is filed with the civil registrar of the commune where the child was born, the parents must choose the child's first name and surname.
All parents (including those who are not married) are free to choose their child's surname and given name, provided that they agree on the surname to be given to the child, and that the fact that they are the child's parents is established simultaneously on or before the day on which the child's birth is declared.
Who is concerned
Children of Luxembourg nationality who were:
- born after 30 April 2006;
- adopted after 30 April 2006.
How to proceed
In most cases
Since 1 May 2006, parents may give any child born to them:
- the father's surname;
- the mother's surname;
- or both of their surnames (without hyphens), in the order of their choice, with only one name from each parent.
Example: Ms Weber and Mr Schmit will be able to give their child one of the following surnames: Weber, Schmit, Weber Schmit or Schmit Weber.
Note that the name chosen for the first child will be given to all of the other children born to the couple.
If the parents cannot agree, the child shall be given the first surname of their father and the first surname of their mother in an order determined by lot by the civil registrar in the presence of the person who declares the birth of the child.
Children born out of wedlock
A child born out of wedlock and recognised by their parents will, in principle, be given the surname of the parent who first recognised the child. The parents may, however, change their child's surname after birth (upon application to the judge in guardianship matters) by choosing one of the following three options:
- the father's surname;
- the mother's surname;
- both of their surnames together.
Adopted children
The surname given to an adopted child is also determined according to the three options listed in the previous paragraph. An adopted child no longer automatically takes the name of the adoptive father.
Provisions governing the choice of children's first names
The law gives parents wide latitude in choosing the first name or names they give to their children, provided that their choice does not harm the child's interests or infringe the rights of third parties (for instance, the first name "Satan" would not be in the child's best interests).
Similarly, first names must correspond to the gender of the child in question.
The civil registrar has the right to refuse to register names that are purely fanciful, discriminatory, ridiculous or exclusively patronymic (such as "Schmit") in birth certificates.
First names must always be mentioned in the order in which they appear on the birth certificate.
Provisions concerning stillborn children and children who died before their birth could be registered
New legislation standardises the situation of stillborn children, and children who died before their birth was declared to a civil registrar, by giving parents the option to give them a surname and one or more first names, and register them with the civil registrar.
Who to contact
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Communal Administrations
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Beaufort9, rue de l'Eglise
L-6315 Beaufort
Phone : (+352) 83 60 45-1Fax : (+352) 86 93 88Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.30 (closed on Thursday afternoon) / open until 20.00 on Wednesdays -
Bech1, Enneschtgaass
L-6230 Bech
Phone : (+352) 79 01 68-1Fax : (+352) 79 06 74Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 (closed on Monday afternoons); Thursday: 13.00 - 19.00 (open until 17.00 during school holidays) -
Beckerich6, Dikrecherstrooss
L-8523 Beckerich
Phone : (+352) 23 62 21-1Fax : (+352) 23 62 91 62Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00; Wednesday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.45 -
Berdorf5, rue de Consdorf
L-6551 Berdorf
Phone : (+352) 79 01 87-1Fax : (+352) 79 91 89Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday to Wednesday: 14.00 - 16.00; Thursday: 14.00 - 19.00 -
Bertrange2, beim Schlass
L-8058 Bertrange
Postal address :
B.P. 28 L-8005 Bertrange
Phone : (+352) 26 31 2-1Fax : (+352) 26 31 27 57Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00 -
Bettembourg13, rue du Château
L-3217 Bettembourg
Postal address :
B.P. 29 L-3201 Bettembourg
Phone : (+352) 51 80 80-1Fax : (+352) 51 80 80-601Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 / "Biergerzenter" open until 19.00 on Thursdays -
Bettendorf1, rue Neuve
L-9353 Bettendorf
Phone : (+352) 80 25 92-1Fax : (+352) 80 92 34Monday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 18.45; Tuesday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 (closed on Wednesdays) -
Betzdorf11, rue du Château
L-6922 Berg
Postal address :
B.P. 2 L-6901 Roodt/Syre
Phone : (+352) 77 00 49-1Fax : (+352) 77 00 82Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 12.00 et 13.30 - 16.30 (bureau de la population et état civil) / Uniquement sur RDV: lundi, mardi, jeudi, vendredi: 16.30 - 17.00; mercredi: 07.00 - 08.00 -
Bissen1, rue des Moulins
L-7784 Bissen
Postal address :
B.P. 25 L-7703 Bissen
Phone : (+352) 83 50 03-21Fax : (+352) 85 97 63Monday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 18.30 (only population service); Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30 (closed on Thursday morning) -
Biwer6, Kiirchestrooss
L-6834 Biwer
Phone : (+352) 71 00 08-1Fax : (+352) 71 90 25Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30 (fermé le 1ier mercredi de chaque mois, ouvert le 1ier mercredi de chaque mois de 14.00 - 18.00) -
Boulaide3, rue de la Mairie
L-9640 Boulaide
Phone : (+352) 99 30 12Fax : (+352) 99 36 92Monday, Thursday: 14.00 - 17.00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 -
Bourscheid1, Schlassweee
L-9140 Bourscheid
Phone : (+352) 99 03 57-1Fax : (+352) 99 03 57-565Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday: 14.00 - 18.00; Tuesday to Friday: 14.00 - 16.00 (except on Wednesdays) -
Bous-Waldbredimus20, rue Luxembourg
L-5408 Bous
Phone : (+352) 28 86 04 01Fax : (+352) 28 86 04 109 -
ClervauxMontée du Château
L-9712 Clervaux
Postal address :
B.P. 35 L-9701 Clervaux
Phone : (+352) 27 800-1Fax : (+352) 27 800-900Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30; mardi à vendredi: 14.00 - 16.30; mercredi ouvert jusqu'à 19.00 (uniquement bureau de la population, sauf la veille d'un jour férié) -
Colmar-Berg5, rue de la Poste
L-7730 Colmar-Berg
Postal address :
B.P. 10 L-7701 Colmar-Berg
Phone : (+352) 83 55 43-1Fax : (+352) 83 55 43-225Monday to Thursday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday: 13.00 - 17.00; Wednesday: 13.00 - 18.30 (closed on Fridays) -
Consdorf8, route d'Echternach
L-6212 Consdorf
Phone : (+352) 79 00 37-1Fax : (+352) 79 04 31Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00; open until 18.00 on Tuesdays -
Contern4, Place de la Mairie
L-5310 Contern
Phone : (+352) 35 02 61Fax : (+352) 35 72 36Monday-Friday: 08.00 - 11.45 and 13.00 - 16.45 / Population office: Wednesday: 07.00 - 11.45 and 13.00 - 16.45 -
DalheimGemengeplaz
L-5680 Dalheim
Phone : (+352) 23 60 53-25Fax : (+352) 23 60 53-50Monday, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00; Tuesday, Thursday: 07.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00; Wednesday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00 -
Diekirch27, avenue de la Gare
L-9233 Diekirch
Postal address :
B.P. 145 L-9202 Diekirch
Phone : (+352) 80 87 80-1Fax : (+352) 80 87 80-250Lundi à vendredi: 08.30 - 11.30 et 14.00 - 16.30 / Bureau de la population et état civil: mercredi jusqu'à 18.00 -
Differdange40, avenue Charlotte
L-4530 Differdange
Postal address :
B.P. 12 L-4501 Differdange
Phone : (+352) 58 77 1-11Fax : (+352) 58 77 1-1210Monday and Friday: 07.30 - 12.00 and 13.30 - 17.00 / the "Biergeramt" is also open on Saturdays: 09.00 - 11.00 -
Dippach11, rue de l'Eglise
L-4994 Schouweiler
Postal address :
B.P. 59 L-4901 Bascharage
Phone : (+352) 27 95 25-200Fax : (+352) 27 95 25-299Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00; open until 18.00 on Mondays; Wednesday from 07.30 -
DudelangePlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-3590 Dudelange
Postal address :
B.P. 73 L-3401 Dudelange
Phone : (+352) 51 61 21 -1Fax : (+352) 51 61 21-299Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00; Wednesday: 8.00-12.00 and 13.00-19.00; Thursday: 8.00-17.00 -
Echternach2, place du Marché
L-6460 Echternach
Postal address :
B.P. 22 L-6401 Echternach
Phone : (+352) 72 92 22-1Fax : (+352) 72 92 22-51Lundi à jeudi: 08.30 -11.30 et 14.00 - 16.30 ; vendredi: 08.30 - 13.00 heures / Bureau de la population et état civil: lundi ouvert jusqu’à 19.00 -
Ell27, Haaptstrooss
L-8530 Ell
Postal address :
B.P. 9 L-8501 Redange/Attert
Phone : (+352) 26 62 38-1Fax : (+352) 26 62 38-55Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.15 - 11.45; Thursday: 14.00 - 18.30 -
Erpeldange sur Sûre21, Porte des Ardennes
L-9145 Erpeldange-sur-Sûre
Postal address :
B.P. 39 L-9001 Ettelbruck
Phone : (+352) 81 26 74-1Fax : (+352) 81 97 08Monday: 07.30 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 18.00; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 07.30 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.30 -
Esch sur AlzettePlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-4002 Esch-sur-Alzette
Postal address :
B.P. 145 L-4002 Esch-sur-Alzette
Phone : (+352) 2754 1Fax : (+352) 54 35 14 667Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 17.00 ("Biergeramt") -
Esch-sur-Sûre1, an der Gaass
L-9150 Eschdorf
Phone : (+352) 83 91 12-1Fax : (+352) 83 91 12-25Monday to Thursday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.30 ; open until 18.30 on Mondays, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 -
EttelbruckPlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-9087 Ettelbruck
Postal address :
B.P. 116 L-9002 Ettelbruck
Phone : (+352) 81 91 81-1Fax : (+352) 81 91 81-364Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30; open until 18.30 on Wednesdays -
Feulen25, route de Bastogne
L-9176 Niederfeulen
Phone : (+352) 81 27 47-1Fax : (+352) 81 79 08Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 (closed on Thursday morning); Monday, Wednesday: 13.00 - 17.00; Thursday: 13.00 - 19.00 -
Fischbach1, rue de l'Eglise
L-7430 Fischbach
Phone : (+352) 32 70 84-1Fax : (+352) 32 70 84-50Monday and Friday: 08.30 - 11.30; Thursday: 14.00 - 18.00 -
Flaxweiler1, rue de Berg
L-6926 Flaxweiler
Phone : (+352) 77 02 04-1Fax : (+352) 77 08 33Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 -
Frisange10, Munnerëferstrooss
L-5701 Frisange
Postal address :
B.P. 12 L-5701 Aspelt
Phone : (+352) 23 66 84 08-1Fax : (+352) 23 66 06 88Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.00 (closed on Friday afternoon); Tuesday: 07.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.00; Thursday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 18.30 -
Garnich15, rue de l'Ecole
L-8353 Garnich
Phone : (+352) 38 00 19-1Fax : (+352) 38 00 19 90Monday-Friday: 08.30-11.30; Monday: 14.00 - 18.00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 14.00 - 16.00 -
Goesdorf1, Op der Driicht
L-9653 Goesdorf
Phone : (+352) 83 92 70Fax : (+352) 89 91 73Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 18.00; closed on Thursday at 17.00 -
Grevenmacher6, Place du Marché
L-6755 Grevenmacher
Postal address :
B.P. 5 L-6701 Grevenmacher
Phone : (+352) 75 03 11-1Fax : (+352) 75 03 11-80Sécrétariat et recette communale: lundi à mercredi: 08.30 - 11.40 et 13.10 - 16.00; jeudi ouvert jusqu’à 18.00; vendredi ouvert jusqu’à 15.00 / Service du citoyen: 08.30 - 11.40 et 13.10 - 16.00; jeudi ouvert jusqu’à 19.00; vendredi ouvert jusqu’à 15.00 -
Grousbous-Wahl1, rue de Bastogne
L-9154 Grosbous
Postal address :
B.P. 7 L-9006 Grosbous
Phone : (+352) 83 80 22-1Fax : (+352) 83 86 55 -
HabschtPlace Denn
L-8465 Eischen
Phone : (+352) 39 01 33-1Fax : (+352) 39 01 33-209Maison communale à Eischen: lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 12.00; lundi, jeudi, vendredi: 13.00 - 17.00; mardi: 13.00 - 19.00 / Bureau communal à Hobscheid: mercredi: 10.00 - 12.00 / Bureau communal à Septfontaines: mercredi: 13.30 - 16.30 -
Heffingen2, am Duerf
L-7651 Heffingen
Phone : (+352) 83 71 68-1Fax : (+352) 87 97 54Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 ; Tuesday from 07.00, open until 19.00 on Thursdays -
Helperknapp2, rue de Hollenfels
L-7481 Tuntange
Phone : (+352) 28 80 40-1Fax : (+352) 28 80 40-299Monday: 08.00 – 11.30 / Tuesday: 07.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 / Wednesday: 08.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 (* Nocturne every first Wednesday of the month until 18.30 / Thursday: 08.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 (** Thursday afternoon by appointment only) / Friday: 08.00 – 11.30. -
Hesperange474, route de Thionville
L-5886 Hesperange
Postal address :
B.P. 10 L-5801 Hesperange
Phone : (+352) 36 08 08-1Fax : (+352) 36 00 06Monday to Friday: 07.45 - 11.45 and 13.30 - 17.00; open until 18.00 on Thursdays -
Junglinster12, rue de Bourglinster
L-6112 Junglinster
Postal address :
B.P. 14 L-6101 Junglinster
Phone : (+352) 78 72 72-1Fax : (+352) 78 83 19Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30 et 13.00 - 16.30 / Bureau de la population: ouvert jeudi jusqu'à 19.00 (sauf la veille d'un jour férié) -
Käerjeng24, rue de l'Eau
L-4920 Bascharage
Postal address :
B.P. 50 L-4901 Bascharage
Phone : (+352) 50 05 52-1Fax : (+352) 50 05 52 399Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.00 (or by appointment) -
Kayl4, rue de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-3674 Kayl
Postal address :
B.P. 56 L-3601 Kayl
Phone : (+352) 56 66 66-1Fax : (+352) 56 33 23"Biergerzenter": Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30; open until 18.30 on Wednesdays -
Kehlen15, rue de Mamer
L-8280 Kehlen
Phone : (+352) 30 91 91-1Fax : (+352) 30 91 91-200Monday-Friday: 07.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00 -
Kiischpelt7, op der Gare
L-9776 Wilwerwiltz
Phone : (+352) 92 14 45Fax : (+352) 92 06 15Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 -
Koerich2, rue du Château
L-8385 Koerich
Phone : (+352) 39 02 56-1Fax : (+352) 39 73 62Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00; open until 19.00 on Wednesdays -
Kopstal28, rue de Saeul
L-8189 Kopstal
Phone : (+352) 30 01 71-1Fax : (+352) 30 04 15Monday to Friday: 07.30 - 12.00 and 13.30 - 16.00 -
Lac de la Haute-Sûre7, Duerfstrooss
L-9635 Bavigne
Phone : (+352) 99 35 54-1Fax : (+352) 99 35 53Monday, Friday: 08.00 -11.30; Tuesday, Thursday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30 (closed on Wednesdays) -
Larochette33, chemin J.A. Zinnen
L-7626 Larochette
Phone : (+352) 83 70 38-1Fax : (+352) 87 96 46Service population: lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 12.00 et 14.00 - 17.00, lundi ouvert jusqu'à 19.00 / Sécrétariat et état civil: lundi à vendredi de 08.00 - 12.00 et 14.00 à 17.00 -
Lenningen3, rue de l'Église
L-5414 Canach
Phone : (+352) 35 97 35-1Fax : (+352) 35 97 36Population office and civil registry office: Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.00; by prior appointment also on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 07.00 to 08.00 and on Wednesdays from 16.00 to 18.00 -
Leudelange5, Place des Martyrs
L-3361 Leudelange
Postal address :
B.P. 32 L-3205 Leudelange
Phone : (+352) 37 92 92-1Fax : (+352) 37 92 92 50Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.00; open until 18.30 on Thursdays -
Lintgen2, rue de Diekirch
L-7440 Lintgen
Phone : (+352) 32 03 59-1Fax : (+352) 32 03 59-35Monday-Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00; open until 19.00 on Thursdays -