In principle, people who obtain Luxembourgish nationality retain the surname and first names they have in accordance with the laws of the country from which they originate at the time of initiating the naturalisation, option declaration or reclamation procedure to acquire Luxembourgish nationality.

However, these persons are entitled to apply to change their surname and/or first names.

Who is concerned

Any person who has obtained Luxembourgish nationality through a naturalisation, option declaration or reclamation procedure may apply to change their surname and/or first names.

A change to the parent or adoptive parent's surname automatically extends to children who are under 18 years of age at the time of the ministerial order authorising the name change. Changes only apply to the surname, or components of the surname, that children have taken from a parent who has changed their name.

The person concerned may also apply for the first names of any of their children under 18 to be changed, provided that:

• the child has given their personal consent if they are aged 12 or above;
• the other parent or adoptive parent has given their consent.

Deadlines

The application to change a surname and/or first names must be made:

• as part of a naturalisation procedure: at the same time as or subsequent to the naturalisation application. However, the application must be made before the ministerial order granting or refusing the application is issued;
• as part of an option declaration or reclamation procedure: at the same time as or subsequent to an option or reclamation procedure, but no later than in the year following the option or reclamation declaration.

Costs

The procedure to change surnames and/or first names is free of charge.

How to proceed

Changing a surname

Surnames can be changed in different ways:

• by adapting the full surname, or one or more its components, to common usage in Luxembourg.
  E.g.: Barteldi to Barthel;
• by assigning the full surname, or one or more of its components, as shown on the person's birth certificate.
  E.g.: the birth certificate states Barthel Molitor, but the person's surname is only Molitor. They may choose to be called Molitor Barthel or Barthel Molitor, or even simply Barthel;
• by adding the full surname or one or more of its components, as shown on the person's birth certificate, to the name used by the person concerned at the time of applying for Luxembourgish nationality.
  E.g.: the person's surname is only Barthel at the time of making the application, but Barthel Molitor is shown on the birth certificate. They may therefore choose to add Molitor to Barthel, to become Barthel Molitor or Molitor Barthel;
• by adding one or more of the components of the surname used by the parents or adoptive parents to the name used by the person concerned at the time of applying for Luxembourgish nationality.
  E.g.: the person's surname is only Barthel at the time of making the application, but their father's surname is Molitor. They may therefore choose to add Molitor to Barthel, to become Barthel Molitor or Molitor Barthel;
• by reversing the order of the surname's components.
  E.g.: Barthel Molitor instead of Molitor Barthel;
• by deleting one or more components of the surname, provided that at least one component is retained.
  E.g.: Barthel Molitor could become only Barthel.

The component(s) of the surname can be adapted to common usage in Luxembourg.

The person concerned chooses the order in which the surname's components appear.

A change to the parent or adoptive parent's surname automatically extends to children who are under 18 years of age at the time of the ministerial order authorising the name change. Changes only apply to the surname or components of the surname that children have taken from a parent who has changed their name.

If there is any doubt concerning the possible choices, applicants are advised to contact the Nationality Office of the Ministry of Justice before submitting their application.

Changing a first name

First names can be changed in different ways:

• by adapting one or more first names to common usage in Luxembourg.
  E.g.: Sergio to Serge;
• by assigning one or more first names shown in the birth certificate of the person concerned. First names can also be adapted to common usage in Luxembourg.
  E.g.: a person's first name as entered in their birth certificate is Jean-François Didier, but this person uses only Didier as their first name. He may therefore choose to be called Jean-François instead of Didier;
• by adding one or more first names shown in the birth certificate to the first names used by the person concerned at the time of applying for Luxembourgish nationality. First names can also be adapted to common usage in Luxembourg.
  E.g.: a person's name is Jean at the time of making the application, but Jean-François Didier is shown on the birth certificate. He may therefore choose to add François to Jean to become Jean-François or François-Jean;
• by reversing the order of the first names.
  E.g.: Jean François to François Jean;
• by deleting one or more first names, provided that at least one first name is retained.
  E.g.: Jean François to simply François.

The person concerned chooses the order of the first names.

Persons who have recently obtained Luxembourgish nationality can also apply for the first names of their children under 18 to be changed, provided that:

• the child has given their personal consent if they are aged 12 or above;
• the other parent or adoptive parent has also given their consent.

If there is any doubt concerning the possible choices, applicants are advised to contact the Nationality Office of the Ministry of Justice before submitting their application.

Name change application

The name change application can be presented to the civil registrar of the commune of residence in Luxembourg, or to the Nationality Office of the Ministry of Justice, either using a specific form or a written note.

The application form must be signed by the applicant or their legal representative.

Acceptance of the name change application

If the application is accepted by the Minister of Justice, the applicant will receive a notification informing them of the change of surname and/or first name(s).

If the person concerned lives in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, notification is given by the civil registrar of the commune of residence. If they live abroad, notification is given by the Ministry of Justice.

If the person concerned was born in Luxembourg or their birth certificate is already recorded in Luxembourg, reference to the ministerial order granting the name change is written on the birth certificate, when the surname and/or first name(s) that have been changed are different to those on the birth certificate.

If the person concerned was born abroad, their birth certificate is recorded in the civil registers of the commune of residence if they live in Luxembourg, or in those of the City of Luxembourg if they do not live in the Grand Duchy. The reference to the ministerial order granting the name change is noted on the recorded birth certificate.

Refusal of the name change application

In the event of refusal of the change to the surname and/or first name(s), notification of refusal will be sent to the applicant, who will then have a period of 3 months from the notification to petition a reversal on appeal before the administrative tribunal.

If applicable, the appeal against the decision of the administrative tribunal may be taken to the administrative court within 40 days of notification of the decision by the clerk of the administrative tribunal.

The appeal before the administrative tribunal and the appeal before the administrative court must be petitioned by a court lawyer.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact