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To change your name according to German law, a name declaration is required. You can apply for a new passport under the married name only after you have received the name certificate stating your new name.

If you want to choose the married name according to German law, you can choose between the birth name or current family name of each spouse. This married name automatically extends to all children born in the marriage or future children.

Alternatively, you can choose the married name according to a foreign law. This is possible if one of the spouses has this particular citizenship. If the spouses choose foreign law, they can choose all married names this law allows. A married name chosen according to foreign law does not automatically extend to children born in the marriage. Both spouses must sign the name declaration in person at the consulate.

Necessary documents:

(each as original)

• Filled out application form, not signed
  
  Erklärungsformular Deutsch, barrierefrei / Declaration form in German, accessible OR
  
  Erklärungsformular zweisprachig, nicht barrierefrei / Declaration form bilingual, not accessible
• Valid passports of both spouses (other identity documents are not sufficient), German citizens have to present a valid German passport or ID-Card (Personalausweis)
• Birth certificates of both spouses (Canadian birth certificates have to include the names of parents, so-called ”birth certificate with parental information“)
• Official marriage certificate (if married in Canada: issued by Vital Statistics; marriage certificates issued by religious institutions or marriage license / proof of solemnization of marriage are not sufficient)
• Valid permanent residence card (front and back) or valid Canadian visa for the German spouse/s
• Proof of deregistration of German partner/s (Abmeldebestätigung)
• If a spouse was naturalized in Germany: certificate of naturalization
• If a German spouse was naturalized in Canada: certificate of naturalization + German “Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”
• If the couple has children: Birth certificates (if born in Canada. long form“/”registration of life birth“, issued by the respective province)

Translations of foreign – non English – documents have to be submitted in German. Civil status documents originally issued in English are accepted by German civil registry offices in most cases. Please note, that the competent civil registry in Germany may request translations of foreign documents into German language.