User name: use of wife or husband's name

Verified 25 June 2024 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

Can we wear the surname of her spouse as a common name? How do I put it on my ID card? Here are the main rules to know about using the name of your wife or husband as your last name.

Difference between last name and last name

Every person has a surname (also called birth name).

This name appears on your birth certificate.

For example, it could be your father's name, or your mother's name, or the name of your father and mother next to each other.

You can, however, use in everyday life a alternate name called common name.

The last name may change over the course of life.

The last name does not replace your last name which remains the only name mentioned on the civil registration documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, family record...

Freedom of choice

The ability to use a username is optional and is automatic pitch.

If you are married, you can use your spouse's name or only your own surname.

This is a personal choice which cannot be imposed on you.

Whether you're a man or a woman, you can use as a username the surname the person you are married to.

You can use as a usage:

  • either the family name of your spouse,
  • either your surname next to your spouse's surname in the order you want, and within the limit of a last name for each.

Example :

Simple name of 1er spouse and double name of 2d husband

Simple name of 1er spouse: BELIER

Dual name of 2d spouse: MARTIN AUBERT

The 1er spouses may choose the following names for use: MARTIN AUBERT, BELIER MARTIN, MARTIN BELIER, BELIER AUBERT

Example :

Double name for each spouse

Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN AUBERT

The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER MARTIN, MARTIN BELIER, GORCE MARTIN, MARTIN GORCE, GORCE AUBERT, AUBERT GORCE, BELIER AUBERT, AUBERT BELIER, MARTIN AUBERT

Example :

Compound name for each spouse

Name of 1er husband: BELIER-GORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER-GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER-GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT

Example :

Dual name of 1er spouse and compound name of 2nd husband

Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE

Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT

The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER, GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT

Warning  

You may not use the name of your Civil partnership partner as your last name.

First mention of the user name on the identity document

To display a username after the surname on the identity card or the passport, you must:

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

FYI  

Since the username is optional, there is no time limit for the username to be included on identity documents. You can do this whenever you want.

To renew the ID

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Your last name hasn't changed

No new documents related to the username should be provided.

You no longer want to use a usage name

Just leave the line blank Second name of the form or pre-application for identity papers

You want to use a different usage name

You need to provide new proof.

For example, a full copy of your birth certificate showing the names of the 2 parents if you want to use the name of the parent who was not passed on to you at birth.

These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents.

You can use the chosen use name in all acts of your private, family, social or professional life.

Once you request it, a administration must use this username in any email it sends you.

You must to inform the various bodies of the chosen usage name.

Example :

To inform the health insurance, log in to your Ameli account (“My steps”).

FYI  

If you no longer want the username to be used, just inform your interlocutors. You don't need to provide proof.

No, the choice of a username does not no effect on the surname of your common child.

Thus, your child's last name may be your name, that of your spouse, or your 2 names side by side.

Your common child's last name may be the same or different from your last name.

FYI  

You can also choose a username for your minor child.

After a divorce, you lose the use of your husband's or wife's name.

However, you may retain its use with the agreement of your ex-spouse or with the agreement of the judge.

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With the agreement of your ex-husband or ex-wife

You may retain the use of your ex-spouse's name with his agreement.

This agreement must be formalized in writing.

The agreement may be temporary. For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.

The agreement may be limited to your professional activity.

Please note

Your ex-husband or ex-wife may at any time ask the judge, through his lawyer, to cancel this agreement.

With the judge's approval

The judge may allow you to continue using the name of your ex-spouse.

You can ask the judge for permission at the time of or after divorce.

You must to prove a particular interest for yourself or your children.

This is the case for example if you are known with this name in your professional activity.

The agreement may be temporary.

For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.

The agreement may be limited to your professional activity.

FYI  

Authorization to use the name of the former spouse ceases in the event of remarriage.

Yes, you can continue to use the name of your deceased spouse as common name.

You have no no steps to take.

If you wish, you can put the words on your papers widowed or widow in front of surname of your spouse. However, this can only be added if your last name is the name of your spouse. Simply tick this choice in the relevant form.

Example :

Your birth name is Dupont.

The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.

You were using Martin as a common name instead of your birth name Dupont.

You can continue to use Martin as a common name.

You may choose to include the words widow: Dupont widow Martin.

Example :

Your birth name is Dupont.

The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.

You were using Dupont Martin as a common name.

You can continue to use Dupont Martin as a common name.

FYI  

In case of remarriage, you can no longer list the surname of your deceased spouse on your identity card or other administrative document.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.

    Cost: free service

    The informants who answer you are from the Department of Justice.

    Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.

    The service is available at the following times:

      • Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
      • Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
      • Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
      • Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
      • Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15

    Request a call

  • House of Justice and the Law

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