A first name change is processed via a petition to the court based on Art. 1:4 of the Dutch Civil Code, submitted by a lawyer. In our practice, judges typically look at three factors: the nature of the interest asserted, the proportionality of the requested change, and evidence supporting that interest. The total costs at Simmelink Lawyers are €899: a €558 legal fee including VAT plus €341 in court fees. The lead time is on average six to twelve weeks after submission, followed by a three-month appeal period before the change becomes final.
For which situation do you wish to change your first name?
The ground for a first name change determines the legal substantiation and which documentation is central to the petition. According to the Council for the Judiciary, over 600 requests for first name changes were granted in 2018, an increase of more than twenty percent compared to 2015.
Simmelink Lawyers has divided the field of work into thirteen theme pages, grouped into three families: identity and personal convictions; safety and processing; registration and family. For each theme, we explain which factors the court typically weighs and which evidentiary route is appropriate. Click on a theme for the full details.
Identity and personal convictions
When your current name no longer fits your religious beliefs, gender identity, or broader identity.
- First name change due to gender identity or transition: change as part of a transition process.
- First name change due to religious conversion: a name that fits a newly adopted faith, or another religious transition.
- Changing a baptismal name after loss of faith: distancing oneself from a religiously charged first name (Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, or otherwise).
Safety and processing
When your name makes you vulnerable, refers back to a burdensome period, or stands in the way of a chance for a new start.
- First name change due to threats or stalking: a new name as a safety measure in the event of an active threat.
- First name change due to bullying: change due to a long-term and severe history of bullying at school or in the workplace.
- First name change due to childhood experiences: distancing oneself from a name that recalls a burdensome period or relationship from childhood.
- First name change after detention: a new name for a real second chance after a criminal past.
Registration and family
When the change concerns the composition of your first names, a tribute, or a correction of an administrative nature.
- Adding, changing, or deleting a middle name: addition, change, or deletion of a second first name.
- Adding a common name to official documents: officially recording a long-used common name, alongside or instead of the existing first name.
- First name change due to family ties: tribute to a family member, or distancing oneself from a name given under pressure.
- Correcting a spelling or registration error in a first name: correction of a wrong spelling, forgotten name, hyphen, language barrier, or double registration.
- First name change from abroad: procedure and international recognition for clients with an international connection.
First name change for a minor child: the specific procedure and requirements for a change on behalf of a minor.
What does a first name change cost?
A first name change costs a total of €899 at Simmelink Lawyers: a €558 fixed legal fee including VAT plus €341 in court fees. You will know exactly where you stand in advance, with no surprises afterward.
| Cost item | Amount |
| Legal fees (fixed rate, incl. VAT) | €558 |
| Court fee (nationally determined, 2026) | €341 |
| Copy of birth certificate (indicative) | ±€15 |
| Total standard procedure | €899 excl. copy |
What if a hearing is required?
Most first name changes are handled by the court in writing, without you having to appear. If the court does request an oral hearing, we will charge additional costs for the preparation and attendance of that hearing. We will always inform you of this in advance, so you can decide for yourself how you wish to proceed. The chance of a hearing varies by court; in The Hague, this chance is generally smaller than in the east of the country.
Wat is inbegrepen in het vaste tarief?
- Feasibility check in advance: assessment of your situation and chances
- Full intake and file creation
- Drafting and submitting the legally substantiated petition
- Guidance until the final ruling
- All communication with the court
A full cost overview is available on our first name change costs page.
Are you eligible for subsidized legal aid?
In some cases, a subsidy (pro deo) is possible, whereby the government reimburses part of the legal fees. In practice, a subsidy is not often granted for first name change requests, even if your income falls within the standards. This is because demonstrable hindrance in social functioning must be proven. We can assess your situation for borderline cases.
Would you first like to know if your request is feasible?
You can request a feasibility check in advance, in which we assess your situation and let you know what substantiation is required. After you sign up, we will contact you within one working day. If you would prefer to have a conversation immediately, you can schedule an advisory meeting.
Request the feasibility checkFree and without obligations
How does the procedure for a first name change work?
The procedure for changing a first name is regulated in Article 1:4 of the Dutch Civil Code. You submit a petition to the court in your place of residence, which assesses whether your interest is sufficiently compelling. The requested name must not be inappropriate and must not be identical to an existing surname, unless you provide a valid reason for it.
During an advisory meeting, you discuss your legal situation at an hourly rate, without further work following. During an intake interview, we start the legal guidance and a file is opened. After you sign up, our secretariat will contact you within one working day to discuss your question and the desired route.
For clients who are still unsure if their request is feasible, an advisory meeting is the obvious choice: you receive legal clarification without immediately opening a file. For clients who have already decided they want to start the procedure, an intake interview is more efficient. The meeting can take place by telephone, via video consultation, or at our office in Maarssen.
Together we carefully map out your background and interest. This includes:
- identity documents and extract from the BRP (Personal Records Database);
- relevant medical, psychological or assistance reports (if you want to submit them);
- declarations from aid workers, family or third parties;
- documents about previous procedures (for example divorce, custody, criminal case or measures in case of stalking).
Your lawyer will draft a legally substantiated petition, in which the following is detailed:
- which name change you are applying for (or for your child);
- on which legal basis the request rests;
- why there is a compelling reason in your situation;
- why the requested change is in your interest (or in the interest of the child).
The petition is then submitted to the court on your behalf.
The judge studies the file and, in most cases, decides in writing without a hearing. Sometimes the judge requests advice from the public prosecutor or schedules an oral hearing; we will prepare you carefully for this.
If the court grants your request, your new first name will be recorded in the decision. After the statutory three-month appeal period, the court sends the ruling to the municipality where your birth certificate is held. If you were born abroad, the ruling is sent to the municipality of The Hague.
Automatically processed via the BRP. The registrar of births, deaths, and marriages adds the deed of the changed first name to the original birth certificate. For people living in the Netherlands, the change is then implemented in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Organizations connected to the BRP, such as banks, insurers, the Tax Authorities, and health insurers, receive the change automatically.
Notify yourself. You must personally inform organizations that are not connected to the BRP. This includes your employer, sports club, school, or a foreign agency.
Your first name is officially changed once it is added to your birth certificate by the municipality. Throughout the entire process, we maintain an overview, and you will know what timeframe to expect and what choices you have.
Examples from our Practice
At Simmelink Lawyers, we guide first name changes across the full breadth of the /first-name-change/ cluster. The three examples below are a cross-section; the full list of themes can be found in the cluster overview at the top of this page.
First name change for gender identity or transition
A client had been using a name that matched his gender identity for a long time but did not have a medical statement or diagnosis available. The legal question was whether the compelling interest could be legally proven even without a medical component. With statements from the employer, care providers, and social contacts regarding the long-term use of the chosen name, we substantiated that interest based on practical experience and social integration.
First name change for stalking or threats
A client was being persistently threatened, and their official first name was directly searchable in public registers. The legal question was whether a name change served a sufficiently concrete safety interest, rather than just a desire for anonymity. With police reports, official records, and a supporting statement from a care provider, we demonstrated the safety interest using objective evidence.
First Name Change after Detention
A client wanted to make a fresh start after detention, but his name was directly associated with his criminal past. The legal question was whether a name change was essential for a real second chance. With statements from care providers and the probation service, we substantiated that necessity based on the probation plan and the factual hindrance during job applications and housing searches.
Two patterns we regularly see in our practice
Requests in which the asserted interest is supported by objective evidence (employer’s statement, medical report, BRP extract, birth certificate) generally proceed more smoothly than requests based primarily on personal motivation. For minors, the consent of both parents with custody is also required; if consent is missing, the court can grant substitute consent if the child’s interest demands it.
What Can You Expect from Us?
You work with one dedicated lawyer for a fixed price of €899, regardless of the complexity of the case. At Simmelink Lawyers, we exclusively handle cases within family law, inheritance law, and name law. First name changes fall under name law and receive the same attention as large files.
- Dedicated lawyer.
You work with the same lawyer throughout the entire procedure, who oversees your file and guides you personally. The legal structure differs per type of interest; having one lawyer who knows your situation prevents repetition and fragmented attention. - Transparent pricing.
Fixed price of €899 including court fees, with no hidden costs. Should a hearing occur, we will inform you of the additional costs in advance so you can decide for yourself how you wish to proceed. - National and international area of operations.
We guide clients throughout the Netherlands and worldwide via video consultation. Consultation is possible at our office in Maarssen, by telephone, or via video call. - International experience.
Do you live abroad or does your name change have international consequences? We have experience with cross-border name changes and international recognition, with attention to the jurisdiction of the court and the applicable law.
What clients say about Simmelink Lawyers
Simmelink Law firm distinguishes itself through expertise and thorough knowledge. My case was handled correctly without any unexpected costs, which they had accurately estimated in advance.
Excellent law firm! The team is very friendly, communication is clear, and commitments are always kept. I highly recommend this firm for legal support.
The handling of my first name change by Simmelink was fast and efficient, and I am very satisfied with the result. They are approachable and have extensive knowledge.
Simmelink Law firm is very professional and customer-oriented. They understand the client’s needs and go above and beyond to assist. Rarely do you see a company where the customer is as central as at Simmelink.
Who are our Attorneys and Mediators
You work with experienced attorneys, specialized in family law, international family law, and inheritance law. We communicate clearly, respond quickly, and keep you continuously informed.
Carla Simmelink – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law and Inheritance Law
Family Law Attorney, International Family Law and Inheritance Law
Valerie Lingg – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Eva Zaunbrecher-Boschloo – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Lawyer at Law (International) Family Law
“Clients are guided by a dedicated lawyer who oversees the entire file and communicates discreetly.”
Mr. Carla Simmelink, lawyer
Written by Mr. Carla Simmelink, family law and name law lawyer.
