First Name Change with Guidance from a Specialized Lawyer

What is a First Name Change?

With a first name change, you request the court to change your official first name or the first name of your child. Think of:

• a first name that no longer suits you;
• a first name that evokes unwanted associations, for example after threat or stalking;
• a first name that causes practical problems when emigrating or abroad;
• a first name that does not match your gender identity;
• a name change of a child, for example after a complicated divorce.

The judge assesses whether there is a compelling reason and whether the change is in your interest – or that of your child. A clear, well-motivated petition is therefore essential.

First Name Change in Specific Situations

In practice, we notice that clients often search for a specific situation, instead of the general concept of first name change. That is why we have set up separate pages for common reasons.

Changing a First Name for a Child (Minor)

When is a child’s name change possible, how does the judge assess the child’s interest, and what is the procedure for joint custody?
→ Changing first names for children

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First Name Change Due to Gender Identity / Transition

A first name that matches your gender identity is essential for many clients. We guide both national and international processes, often in combination with other family law procedures.
→ First name change for gender identity / transition

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First Name Change after Detention

Ex-detainees who want to rebuild their lives sometimes get stuck in daily life because of their name. Applying for a name change can help to distance yourself from the past – provided it is legally well-founded.
→ First name change after detention

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First Name Change in Case of Cultural or Religious Conversion

Sometimes a name no longer fits your religious beliefs or cultural identity. A different first name may then be more appropriate – especially if it has been used in practice for a longer period of time.
→ First name change in case of religious conversion

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First Name Change in Case of Threat or Stalking

In case of serious threat or stalking, a first name change can be part of a broader security strategy. Together with you and – if necessary – involved authorities, we will look at what is responsible.
→ First name change in case of threat or stalking

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First Name Change from Abroad (Expats)

Do you live abroad and want to change your first name? That is possible, even if you cannot travel to the Netherlands in person. If you have a Dutch birth certificate, we can apply for your first name change entirely remotely at the Dutch court. We guide international clients completely online with video calling and ensure that all documents – apostille, legalization and registration – are correctly prepared.

Do you not have a Dutch birth certificate? Then you must first convert the foreign birth certificate yourself at the municipality of The Hague. It takes up to 13 months before the municipality takes up your request. You will then receive a message that you must send the documents. Are all documents in? Then it takes 6 weeks before the municipality has converted your deed. After that, you can contact us to start the procedure for changing your first name.

🔗 Read all about first name change from abroad here

For whom is our Guidance in Name Change Suitable?

Our approach is particularly suitable for:

• Adults who want to change their first name due to identity, safety, religion or practical problems;
• Parents who want to change the first name of their child, for example in the event of a loyalty conflict, an unsafe situation or an incorrect registration;
• Expats and internationally oriented clients who have to deal with different first names in several countries;
• Ex-detainees or clients with a burdened past who want to make a new start;
• People who have to deal with stalking, threat or domestic violence, where a first name change is part of a broader safety plan.

We always look at your complete situation – family law, international and, where necessary, also criminal or security aspects – so that your request is not separate from the rest of your life.