The application for name must be signed by both parents who have shared custody within 14 days after initiation. If exceeded, you must complete a new application. If you have sole custody, only you need to sign.
> Find the online application to apply online with MitID
> Find the application on paper
Please note: the application is only available in Danish. Please find help in this guide or contact your local registrar for further help.
Please note: If you are not married and wish to have shared custody, you must also complete the Care and responsibility for paternity Declaration ("Omsorgs- og ansvarserklæring") accessible on borger.dk as quickly as possible after birth.
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To begin, click on 'Start' - then click on “Videre”. Use your MitID to log on.
Introduktion (step 1 of 5)
You will be introduced to the conditions and advice for your preparations before completing the online application:
- To apply online you need to have a Danish CPR-number both as applicant and as co-signatory.
- Be prepared to enclose any relevant documentation on the family name.
Navngivning (”Namegiving”) (step 2 of 5)
On the next step you must choose your unnamed child. If you have more than one unnamed child, you must complete an application for each child separately.
Click on "Næste" (in English ”Next”)
Please fill out the name(s) in Fornavn ("First name"), Mellemnavn ("Middle name") and Efternavn (”Surname").
Fornavn (”First name”)
Your child can have more than one first name. Fill in the first name(s) and please check whether it is approved (godkendt”). “Approved” means whether it is officially recognized as a commonly used first name in Denmark. All the approved first names are listed at the website of the Agency of Family Law.
> Find the list of Approved names at the website of the Agency of Family Law (in Danish only)
If the first name does not appear to be officially recognized in Denmark, you will have to comment on your choice in “Skriv din begrundelse for valg af ikke-godkendt(e) Fornavn(e)”:
Mellemnavn (”Middle name”)
It is not required to have a middle name. A middle name is typically a name inherited from the family. Your child can have more than one middle name.
If you choose to give your child a middle name, you must choose the appropriate affiliation (“Tilknytning”). If necessary, write a comment (“Begrundelse”), to explain the origin of the chosen name.
Tilknytning (“Affiliation”)
For middle name and surname, select the correct affiliation to your child's new name:
- Barnets forældres mellem- eller efternavn (”The child's parents middle- or surname").
- Barnets bedsteforældres mellem- eller efternavn” ("The child's grandparents middle- or surname)
- Barnets oldeforældres mellem- eller efternavn ("The child's great grandparents middle- or surname)
- Barnets tipoldeforældres mellem- eller efternavn ("The child's great-great grandparents middle- or surname)
- Frit efternavn ("Non-protected surname")
- Godkendt fornavn til mellemnavn ("Approved first name as middlename")
- Barnets sted- eller plejeforældres mellem- eller efternavn ("The child's step- or fosterparent's middle- or surname")
- Patronym (“Name from the father or mother with an additional part of the name showing a family relation”)
- Samtykke fra samtlige bærere af navnet (”Consent from all carriers of the name”)
- Nydannet navn (som ikke allerede bæres i Danmark) (”New name (not previously used by anyone in Denmark”))
Efternavn (”Surname”)
A surname is typically inherited from the family down to the great-great grandparents but can also be inherited from the step- or foster parents or be a “non-protected/free surname” used by more than 2000 people in Denmark – or a new name that has not previously been used by anyone in Denmark.
You can only have one surname however, two surnames can be put together with a hyphen, e.g.,“McMullen-Hansen”.
If the family has a multi-joint surname the child has a right to inherit it e.g., "von Scholten" or "Marino de Santos".
If you hyphenate two surnames, please choose an appropriate affiliation for one surname and comment on the other affiliation in the comment box “Begrundelse …” as illustrated:
If you fill out a multi-joint surname without a hyphen you will be notified as illustrated below. The notification reminds you that you can choose one surname as a middle name and the other as a surname.
If your child inherits a multi-joint surname from the family such as “von Scholten”, you must put a mark in the following option.
Is the name correct?
A window will pop up with your child's new name. To confirm you must choose “Ja, det er korrekt” (in English: “yes, this is correct” ). If it is not correct, click on "Tilbage" to revise.
Information om ansøger ("Information on the applicant") (step 3 of 5)
Please enter your email address and telephone number. You can choose whether the information should be hidden from a possible co-signatory.
If there is another parent who must co-sign the application, enter their civil registration number, full name and email address.
If the child is going to have a family name from a foster or stepparent, the name, civil registration number and email address of the foster or stepparent must also be provided.
Click on "Næste
Forældremyndighed (”Shared custody”)
Information on shared custody will be presented. This information comes automatically from the CPR.
Please note: if it appears from the information shown that you have sole custody, and this is NOT correct you must select “Skal der være fælles forældremyndighed?” (In English: “Do you have shared custody?”) and fill out the relevant information on the other parent such as CPR-number, name and email.
In addition, you must complete a Care and Responsibility for Paternity Declaration on borger.dk.
Click on ”Næste”
Oversigt (“Summary of information entered”) (step 4 of 5)
You will be presented with a summary of all entered information - the requested name, information on the applicant ("Oplysninger om ansøger") and the name of the co-signatory ("Oplysninger om anden forælder") in the end of the summary. Click on "Accepter og Signer" to confirm and sign.
Processing of personal data (pop-up window)
A pop-up window will show, and you will be able to read about the rules on processing of personal data before final signature.
At the bottom of this overview, click on “Ja, jeg har læst ovenstående” ("Yes, I have read the above").
Signing
You will be redirected to MitID for final signature.
Kvittering ("Receipt") (Step 6 of 6)
You will receive a confirmation on mail. The reference number of the application is stated on the confirmation as well as the name and email address of the parent who must co-sign. The local registrar who will process the application is also stated. If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the local registrar.
Co-signature
The application will be accessible for co-signing for 14 days after initiation.
The other parent must co-sign, and there are two ways:
Either by clicking on the link in the mail notification - or by accessing the self-service with MitID on borger.dk where the application was initiated and now awaits co-signature.
Once the application is co-signed, both parents will get a receipt by mail.
Futher proces - check status on Mit Overblik on borger.dk
Your application will be processed by your local registrar. If your name change is approved, you will receive a notification in your Digital Post.
Remember to check the process of your child's application by logging onto MitID and choose “Mit Overblik” on borger.dk, where you can also see contact information on the registrar. Please note: only the parent who has custody will have access.