Use name of a minor child: use of the name of the parents

Verified 01 July 2022 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

Additional cases ?

For an adult

You want to give a common name to your child? The name used in everyday life is different from surname. We tell you the rules to know about the username (who chooses it, which name to choose?) and how to include this name on the child's identity papers.

Every person has a surname.

The last name figure on the birth certificate.

For example, it may be the name of the father or the mother.

However, it is possible to in everyday life another name, called common name.

The last name may change over the course of life.

The last name does not replace the last name which remains the only name mentioned on the civil status documents.

The parent(s) holding the exercise of parental authority choose the minor child's username

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Parental authority exercised jointly by the two parents

Choice by 2 parents

Parents together choose the name of their minor child.

If the child has over 13 years, his agreement is necessary.

You can download the circular of 15 june 2023 which contains a model of consent of the minor over 13 years of age in annex 1-2

Parents are advised to formalize in writing their agreement.

In case of disagreement, you must enter the Family Court Judge (Jaf).

Choice by parent who did not pass name to child

The parent can add his or her name, as a usage name, to the name of the minor child, without the consent of the other parent.

The parent must inform other parent before the child uses that last name.

Indeed, the other parent must have time to indicate disagreement, or if he so wishes, to refer the matter to the Judge for Family Affairs (Jaf).

It is recommended to keep evidence that the other parent has been informed in advance.

The disagreement of the other parent and the referral to the Jaf do not prevent the parent from adding his or her name, as the common name, to that of the minor child.

In all cases, whether the parents agree among themselves or not, the child over 13 years of age must give his consent.

If the minor over 13 years of age does not agree, he cannot bear a common name.

You can download the circular of 15 june 2023 which contains a model of consent of the minor over 13 years of age in annex 1-2

Parental authority exercised by one parent

The parent exercising parental authority decide alone whether or not to choose a common name for the minor child.

If the child has more than 13 years, his approval is necessary.

You can download the circular of 15 june 2023 which contains a model of consent of the minor over 13 years of age in annex 1-2

The choice varies depending on the parent's situation.

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Choice by parent(s) exercising parental authority

The common name of your minor child may be:

  • A double name consisting of his name and the name of the parent that was not transmitted to him at birth, within the limit of a family name for each parent. The order of names can be chosen freely.
  • The name of the parent that was not passed on to him at birth.

This parent must be listed on the birth certificate of the child.

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER (simple name)

Father's name: BELIER

Mother's name: DURAND

The username of the child can be: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, DURAND

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER (simple name)

Father's name: BELIER FORCE

Mother's name: DURAND DUPONT

The child's last name may be: BELIER DURAND, DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DUPONT GORCE, BELIER GORCE, DURAND DUPONT, GORCE, DURAND, DUPONT

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER DURAND (double name)

Father's name: BELIER

Mother's name: DURAND

You can choose as a usage name: DURAND BELIER, BELIER, DURAND

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER DURAND (double name)

Father's name: BELIER FORCE

Mother's name: DURAND DUPONT

You can choose as your username: DURAND BELIER, BELIER DUPONT, DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND, DURAND GORCE, GORCE DUPONT, DUPONT GORCE, BELIER GORCE, DURAND DUPONT, BELIER, DURAND, DUPONT, GORCE BELIER

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER-GORCE (compound name)

Father's name: BELIER-GORCE

Mother's name: DURAND-DUPONT

You can choose as your name: BELIER-GORCE DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT BELIER-GORCE, DURAND-DUPONT

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER GORCE (double name)

Father's name: BELIER FORCE

Mother's name: DURAND-DUPONT

You can choose as your username: BELIER DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT BELIER, GORCE DURAND-DUPONT, DURAND-DUPONT GORCE, DURAND-DUPONT, BELIER, GORCE

Choice by parent who did not pass on their name, without the other parent's consent

The username of the minor child is a double name composed of his name and the name of the parent who did not transmit his own to him.

The order of the names cannot be changed.

The name is added up to 1er family name of each parent.

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER (simple name)

Father's name: BELIER

Mother's name: DURAND

The username of the child can be: BELIER DURAND

Example :

Child's last name: BELIER GORCE (double name)

Father's name: BELIER FORCE

Mother's name: DURAND DUPONT

The username of the child can be: BELIER DURAND

First mention of the user name on the identity document

To display a username on the identity card or the passport of the minor child, you must:

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same window.

To renew the ID

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The usage name has not changed

To display a username on the identity card or the passport of the minor child, you must 

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same window.

To stop using the username

Just leave the line blank Second name of the application form for identity documents.

To use a different usage name

To display a username on the identity card or the passport of the minor child, you must 

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same window.

Indication of the name used on other official documents

The chosen use name can be used in all acts of private, family, social or professional life.

For example, to claim a social benefit, the form may include a Use Name box.

Once requested, the administration must use the common name in its correspondence.

FAQ