In some situations, you can change your surname or that of your child. You can apply for this at the Justis website.
Request
To submit your application, you will need the ‘Name Change’ leaflet and the corresponding application form. You can download these from the Justis website.
You must enclose a copy of the birth certificate of the person (or persons) for whom you are applying for the name change. Other documents may also be required. This is explained in the leaflet.
How long does it take?
The whole process takes about 6 months (provided there are no objections).
Cost
You can find the costs on the Justis website.
Renewing your passport, ID card and driving licence
You will need a new identity document if your first name or surname has changed. To do this, please make an appointment at the counter in the town hall; please see our travel documents page. You can apply for this as soon as your name change has been processed in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Once your name has been changed, your old identity documents will no longer be valid, as they still bear your old name. You must therefore hand these identity documents in to the local authority.
Are you not a Dutch national?
If you are a national of a country other than the Netherlands, you must submit your application in the country of which you are a national. You can then have the name change registered in the Netherlands. To do this, make an appointment at the reception desk in the town hall for submit the deed and have it registered.
To change your first name in the Netherlands, you must be a Dutch national. You cannot apply for the change yourself; you must instruct a solicitor. A solicitor will submit an application on your behalf to the court. The court will then issue a ruling on the matter.
Cost
You will have to pay the lawyer’s fees yourself. You will also have to pay court fees: a contribution towards the costs of the judicial system.
No lawyer is required for a gender reassignment
In the event of a application for a change of gender You can choose for yourself which first name or names you would like to have following your gender reassignment. In this case, you do not need a solicitor.
Renewing your passport, ID card and driving licence
You will need a new identity document if your first name or surname has changed. To do this, please make an appointment at the counter in the town hall; please see our travel documents page. You can apply for this as soon as your name change has been processed in the Basic Register of Persons (BRP). Following the name change, your old identity documents will no longer be valid, as they still bear your old name. You must therefore hand these identity documents in to the local authority.
If you wish to change your surname because of your ancestors’ history of slavery, you should apply to Justis.
New scheme
The Name Change Scheme for Descendants of Enslaved People came into force on 1 July 2024. This means that you can can submit an application to Justis.
Information available
On the Justis website You can find all the information about this scheme there.