Change of first name and surname

Where you can sort this out

Příbram Town Hall, Civil Affairs Department, Registry Office

Other necessary documents, information, etc.

An application for permission to change a first name or surname must be accompanied by

• the applicant’s birth certificate or marriage certificate, or the birth certificate of a minor child,
• in the case of divorced persons, a final divorce decree,
• in the case of widowed persons, a death certificate,
• proof of permanent residence in the Czech Republic (e.g. an identity card or residence permit),
• proof of nationality, i.e. an identity card, passport or other document showing that the applicant is a citizen of the Czech Republic,
• consent from a natural person aged 12 or over, where a change of their first name(s) or surname is involved; in the case of a minor child, written consent from the other parent or a final court decision substituting for such consent.

Basic information

A natural person’s first name, or first names, or surname may only be changed on the basis of an application made by that person or, where applicable, by their legal representatives. A change of surname is permitted in particular where the surname is derogatory or ridiculous, or where there is a serious reason for doing so. The application must be submitted to the registry office in whose administrative district the applicant is registered as having permanent residence; in the case of minors, the decision is made by the registry office in the child’s place of permanent residence. 

Processing time

30 days; in particularly complex cases, 60 days.

Who is entitled to submit an application, notification, etc.

• a natural person; in the case of minors, their legal guardians;
• a natural person who is not a citizen of the Czech Republic, provided they hold a permanent residence permit in accordance with specific legal provisions.

Form – where to obtain it

• Available at the Příbram Municipal Office, Registry Office, 
• Forms to download

The legislation governing this procedure

• Act No. 301/2000 Coll., on civil registers, first names and surnames, and on amendments to certain related acts,
• Decree No. 207/2001 Coll., implementing Act No. 301/2000 Coll. on civil registers, first names and surnames, and amending certain related acts,
• Act No. 500/2004 Coll., on Administrative Proceedings,
• Act No. 634/2004 Coll., on administrative fees,
• Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code.

Administrative (or other) fee

• permission to change a surname that is derogatory or ridiculous – 200 CZK,
• permission to change a surname to one in a foreign language or to a former surname – 300 Kč,
• change of first name or surname in other cases – 3,000 CZK,
• change of first name and surname in the case of transsexuality – no fee.

Appeals

If your application is refused, you may lodge an appeal with the Regional Authority of the Central Bohemian Region in Prague via the Příbram Municipal Authority within 15 days of receiving notification of the refusal.

Where to find further information

Further information can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic at www.mvcr.cz.