Please note before applying: If you or your future spouse do not live in Denmark, please read the section below.
Content
How to apply online
If you do not apply for a name in common with your future spouse
Digital consent from your future spouse
Application on paper
When and how will you be notified?
If you or your future spouse never lived in Denmark
A name change can only take place in Denmark if you live in Denmark
If you wish to lodge an appeal
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How to apply online
You must complete an application and use the self-service “Ansøgning om navneændring ved vielse” with MitID on borger.dk. You can fill in the application for a name change before your wedding (not earlier than one year before) and up to 3 months after the wedding. If you want your name change on your wedding date, you must apply at least two weeks before this date.
To apply for a name change at your wedding, you must apply for a middle name or surname that you wish to have in common with your future spouse at your wedding.
Please note: After you have filled out the names you wish to have, you must fill in the part of name that you wish to have in common with your future spouse in the field “Common name at marriage” (in Danish: “Jeres fælles navn ved vielsen”). If you make a hyphenated double surname, you must write the entire name in that field, for example McMullen-Jespersen.
The application will be processed by your local registrar.
> Find your local registrar
> Find the self-service "Ansøgning om navneændring ved vielse" to complete your application online
> Find the step-by-step guide to fill out the application online
If you do not apply for a name in common with your future spouse
You need to fill out another kind of application called “Ansøgning om navneændring” and pay an administration fee:
- If you wish a shared middle name or surname, (to share with your future spouse)
- If you apply more than 3 months after your wedding.
> Find the online application to apply without sharing a future name (“Ansøg om navneændring med MitID”)
> Read more about name change
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
Digital consent from your future spouse
An application for a name change at marriage is available for co-signing for 14 days in the self-service. If more time elapses, the application is automatically closed and rejected. If this happens, you must fill in a new application.
Co-signing takes place with MitID in one of the following ways:
- The co-signatory must follow the link in the email confirmation sent to him/her.
Please note: If the co-signatory cannot find the email confirmation, it may have ended up in the spam filter. - If the email has not been received, the co-signatory must go directly to the self-service on borger.dk.
Please note: if you are using the same computer, please log of in between the two signatures.
Remember: If you both wish to change name you have to make an application for each of you.
Application on paper
If you or your future spouse cannot use MitID or are exempt from mandatory self-service or Digital Post, you must print and complete the application on paper "Ansøgning om navneændring ved vielse".
Once it has been filled in and signed by both of you, you must make sure to deliver the application to your local registrar. Please do not email the application.
> Download an application on paper for a name change upon marriage (pdf)
> Find your local registrar
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
When and how will you be notified?
If your application is approved, the notification regarding your new name will be sent to the place where you are getting married who will also issue your marriage certificate if you are getting married in Denmark. You will be notified of this in your Digital Post if you have applied digitally.
Your new name will be registered in the CPR once the marriage is registered. If you have applied digitally on borger.dk, you will receive a confirmation and a Certificate of Personal Data in your Digital Post. If you have applied by using an application on paper, you will receive a confirmation and a Certificate of Personal Data by ordinary post.
> Read about the Certificate of Personal Data
If your application is rejected, you will be notified by your local registrar.
If you are getting married abroad, the Danish authorities will not be automatically notified of your name change. Your new name will only be registered in the CPR once you have been to Borgerservice (Citizen Service Centre) to register your foreign marriage in the CPR.
If you or your future spouse never lived in Denmark
You can only get a name change in Denmark if you have permanent residence in Denmark.
If you move to Denmark within 3 months after the wedding, you can apply for a name change at your wedding without paying a fee.
If you move to Denmark more than 3 months after the wedding, you will have to pay a fee for the change of name.
If you are applying for a family reunification you can apply for a name change within 3 months after your wedding, free of charge.
A name change can only take place in Denmark if you live in Denmark
If you are a permanent resident abroad, you must apply for a name change in the country where you live.
However, some countries may not allow name changes for people with Danish citizenship. In that case, you can apply for a name change in Denmark. The parish located at your previous address in Denmark must receive and process your application. You must attach written documentation from your country of residence that they refuse to process a name change because of your Danish citizenship.
Please note: If you apply digitally, it is recommended that you contact your local registrar who will process the application.
If you wish to appeal the decision
If you want to lodge an appeal, the registrar of your parish of residence/Southern Jutland municipality of birth is obliged to inform you how to lodge the appeal, what the time limit is and what you can lodge an appeal against.
You must send the appeal to your local registrar. The appeal and all the documents relating to the case are then sent to the Agency of Family Law, who processes the appeal. You will receive a reply to your appeal from the Agency of Family Law.