Name change boom in NRW: Over 600 applications in two months!

Name change boom in NRW: Over 600 applications in two months!

Since May 1, 2025, the people of Cologne have been able to breathe a sigh of relief: a new naming law brings more freedom when choosing a surname for spouses, families and children. This has given the registry offices in the region a real boost. In May 2025, over 130 name changes were registered in Cologne, a remarkable increase compared to the previous months, in which only 20 applications were received per month, as n-tv.de reports.

Why is that? The new law allows married couples to be more flexible with their surnames in the future. You can now have a double name consisting of the names of both partners. This applies not only to newlyweds, but also to married couples who can retrospectively request a name change for themselves and their children. With this step it becomes clear that the legislation wants to adapt to modern family structures and realities of life. Ultimately, the old regulations were criticized as being too restrictive, as zdf.de states.

An increase in inquiries

The effects of the new naming law are clearly noticeable in the cities of North Rhine-Westphalia. In Düsseldorf, the innovations led to a doubling of inquiries to around 600 from mid-April to mid-June compared to the previous year. The numbers have also increased noticeably in Dortmund: over 260 name declarations have already been certified, which represents a sharp increase compared to 340 changes in the entire previous year, of which 130 were intended for children.

This increase can also be observed in other cities: the registry offices in Bonn and Bielefeld have also recorded an increase in name changes. Couples who are already married are particularly likely to apply for a double name for their children, which underlines the flexibility of the new law.

A look at the new regulations

According to the new regulations, parents can give their children a double name even if they don't have one themselves. This also applies to children of divorce and stepchildren, who can easily take on a parent's last name. Adult children even have the opportunity to change their last name. What is particularly noteworthy is that, compared to other European countries, Germany is now lagging somewhat behind on the path to modern naming rights due to this reform, says bruessel.diplo.de.

Sometimes the new possibilities seem to open up unexpected paths, especially when thinking about the choices under international naming law. For example, binational families are now allowed to choose their names more flexibly, without having to face complicated legal questions that could affect the name.

However, the advantages of the new naming law are not without controversy. Critics warn against identification through names and call for alternative identification methods - but that is a topic for another discussion. The fact is that the new law in Cologne and beyond opens up many new options for families, spouses and children. It remains to be seen whether the classic married name will continue to predominate or whether the people of Cologne will embrace double names. In May, only a few of the newlyweds in Bonn and Münster decided on a double name, while the traditional choice of name still dominates at times.