In France : A child whose parentage is established in respect of each parent may have the following names:
- The father’s name
- Or the mother’s name
- Or the 2 names placed side by side, separated by a single space, in the order chosen by the parents, and within the limit of one surname for each one of them.
However, a compound name existing before 2005 and one compound name following a simple adoption are inseparable (non-breaking). They are transmitted in full.
Example: If the father’s name is Ledru-Rollin and the mother’s is Dupont, the child may be named Ledru-Rollin Dupont or Dupont Ledru-Rollin.
Parents need to make a joint statement of choice of surname.
The declaration shall be made on the cerfa form no. 15286.
Parents sign the form on the same date every 2.
The form must be given to the registrar along with the birth declaration.
Since July 2022 , it has been possible for any adult to ask, one time, to take or add the name of their other parent with a simple town hall procedure and without having to formally justify the reasoning. The procedure, whilst simplified, does not allow for the person to change to any name simply because they fancy it, though. It is limited to the surname of their other parent only.
It was possible to change one’s name before, but the process was lengthy and complicated, forcing petitioners to go through the Ministry of Justice. It also wasn’t guaranteed to work. The rules were specific and included such things as wanting to preserve a rare surname from extinction, having a desire to “Frenchify” one’s name, wanting to change from a pejorative-sounding name, or not wanting to have the name of a discredited person were amongst the only valid reasons.
For sufferers of incest, abandonment, and other painful experiences, being able to “delete” the name of their torturer is a relief. It is also helpful for children who are the product of divorce, most of whom reside with their mothers but who bear their fathers’ names. The discrepancy of names has caused confusion and problems in cases of state admin, school registrations, medical procedures and travel.
Children will now be able to use their family name given at birth as well as a “user name”, that of the other parent. Today, eight out of 10 children in France bear the name of their father, though 21% live with their mother only.
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10505?lang=en
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Le journal du peintre 2 