Administrative change of name in Romania

Changing a name through administrative procedures in Romania is regulated by Law no. 119/1996 on civil status documents, as amended and supplemented by Law no. 105/2022. According to legal provisions, this process can be initiated in cases where there are valid reasons justifying the modification of the surname and/or first name. Since this procedure involves a series of administrative formalities as well as compliance with specific conditions, specialized legal consultancy is recommended. Blaj Law provides legal assistance throughout this process, facilitating the preparation of the necessary documentation in compliance with legal requirements.

Cases in Which an Administrative Name Change Can Be Requested in Romania

According to Article 41¹ of Law no. 119/1996, there are several situations in which a name change is considered justified. Some of the most relevant reasons for requesting this procedure include:

Correction of an inappropriate name – If a person’s name contains indecent or ridiculous expressions or has been altered due to translation or other objective reasons, the applicant may request a name change to avoid embarrassing situations or administrative difficulties.
Using a different name professionally – Individuals who have consistently used a different name in their professional activities and are widely recognized under that identity may request its officialization through an administrative name change.
Error in civil status records – If, due to a mistake by the civil status officer, a person’s name has been incorrectly recorded in official documents, they have the right to request its correction.
Simplification of a multi-word name – If a person has a surname or first name composed of multiple words and wishes to simplify it, they can submit a modification request.
Modification of a foreign-origin name – Individuals who have a foreign name and wish to adopt a Romanian-sounding name may request this change.
Unifying the family name – If parents have changed their surname through administrative means, children may request their surname to be harmonized with that of their parents. Additionally, a person may request to bear the same surname as other family members.
Changing the name after marriage or divorce – Spouses who have chosen a common surname at marriage but later wish to revert to their previous name or adopt the birth name of one of them may request this change. In the case of divorce, a former spouse who retained the common surname may request to revert to their pre-marriage name.
Changing a child’s name after divorce or adoption – If parents have divorced and one of them has reverted to their pre-marriage surname, they may also request a change of the child’s surname. Similarly, in the case of adoption, adoptive parents may request a change of the child’s first name to reflect their new family identity.
Changing the name due to gender transition – Individuals who have obtained a final court ruling for gender transition may request a modification of their surname and first name to align with their gender identity.
Changing the name after establishing a new identity abroad – If a person has changed their name abroad but does not have an official foreign administrative document confirming this, they may prove the change through a passport or identity document issued by foreign authorities and request the name change in Romania.
Other justified cases – The law allows name changes in other exceptional cases if there are well-founded reasons that can be substantiated with relevant documents.

Administrative Name Change Procedure in Romania

According to Article 41³ of Law no. 119/1996, a person wishing to change their name through administrative means must submit a reasoned request to the local public community service for population records in the locality where they reside. The application must be accompanied by supporting documents justifying the name change, including an identity document, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and other documents demonstrating the necessity of the change, such as erroneous civil status certificates, professional documents, or administrative decisions.

After submitting the request, the competent authority will review the application, verifying compliance with legal conditions and the validity of the reasons provided. If the request is approved, a new civil status certificate reflecting the name change will be issued. Otherwise, the competent authority may reject the request through a reasoned decision, which can be contested in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

Legal Assistance Provided by Blaj Law

The name change procedure can involve administrative and legal difficulties, especially when additional proof is required or when authorities reject the submitted request. Blaj Law provides clients with legal consultancy and assistance throughout this process, handling the preparation of the application and supporting documents in compliance with legal requirements, thereby reducing the risk of rejection due to procedural or substantive reasons.

Additionally, we offer assistance in obtaining and correcting civil status documents, as well as in filing appeals in case of a negative response from the authorities.

If you need legal support for an administrative name change or for clarifying legal aspects related to this process, we invite you to contact the Blaj Law team for a consultation with a Romanian lawyer.