Record number of name changes creates simplified procedure to change

Record number of name changes creates simplified procedure to change

Figures from FPS Justice show that a record number of people had their first name or surname changed by 2023. According to The Sunday and VRTnws had some 5,762 people change their first name; some 1,152 people had their last name changed.

That the figures of first name change are significantly higher than the figures of last name change does not surprise and has everything to do with the complicated procedure of the latter.

The first name change procedure is fairly simple, one submits a simple application to the Municipality. There is no need to justify the application, just note that the new name must not cause confusion or harm.

This is in contrast to the procedure to change surname. This modification requires justification that there are serious reasons for proceeding. This is a stumbling block for many and significantly complicates the procedure. Furthermore, this request should be addressed to the Name Change Department of the FPS Justice and thus not to the Municipality.

The duration and cost of the two procedures also differ greatly. For a change of first name, one should consider a duration of about 6 months, the cost depends on the Municipality. For a change of surname, the duration will be about 6 to 12 months and the cost is EUR 140.00.

And yet the numbers continue to rise, why is this? Data shows that more and more people no longer wish to bear the name of one of their parents. This can be for various reasons: no longer contact with the parent, adoption, change of parentage,...

Justice has also noticed the increasing numbers as a result of which they now wish to meet the sigh of the complicated procedure. In late 2023, a bill was approved in the House Committee on Justice in order to simplify the procedure, the Act of January 7, 2024 has since been published in the Belgian Official Journal. Thus would as of July 1, 2024 give everyone the right to change their family name (received from one of the parents) easily and inexpensively once in their lifetime without having to justify the change.

If you still have questions regarding the name change procedure, be sure to contact one of our experts or take a look at the FPS Justice website.