Change of name procedure
Change of name procedure
"I'm in the middle of a job search and I have the impression that my name is causing me problems. I've heard that you can change your name in Switzerland - is this true, and what's the procedure?
Jean, Lancy
In principle, names entered in civil status registers are immutable. However, certain changes in civil status may result in a change of name, the most common being marriage. Apart from these cases, name changes are exceptional and, provided there are good reasons, are subject to authorisation from the government of the canton of residence.
The case law specifies that such just grounds may arise from the fact that the legal name causes the applicant serious and lasting harm, or that it is likely to prejudice a moral, spiritual or even emotional interest, or that the name is odious, ridiculous or shocking, or when it gives rise to numerous mix-ups. For example, bearing a famous name that is likely to cause harm may justify a change of name. On the other hand, a family's interest in preventing its name from dying out does not constitute just cause. In all cases, the applicant's interest as an individual in bearing a new name must be weighed against the administration's and the community's interest in the immutability of the name acquired and entered in civil status records and, thirdly, the public interest in the individualising function of the name. If the applicant's interest is overriding, the change of name is in principle authorised.
In Geneva, the authority responsible for issuing such permits is the State Council. However, it delegates some of its powers in this area to the Department of Security, Police and the Environment. A duly substantiated request on plain paper, specifying the inconveniences associated with using the current name, must be sent to the Cantonal Civil Status Office. Swiss nationals must enclose an individual civil status certificate, while foreign nationals must enclose an extract from the birth certificate, the spouse's birth certificate, the marriage certificate and a copy of the settlement or residence permit. If the applicant's spouse is a Swiss national, the family certificate is sufficient. If the request appears to be well-founded, the Department will grant the name change; if not, it will refer the procedure to the Council of State, which will take a final decision by decree. When authorisation to change the name is granted, the Department notifies the civil registry offices of the decision. A fee of CHF 600 is charged for a change of name and CHF 300 for a change of forename.
In the canton of Vaud, the procedure also begins with a full application to the cantonal civil registry office. However, the law allows greater latitude in setting the fee, which ranges from CHF 150 to CHF 3,000 for the surname and CHF 75 to CHF 1,500 for the first name.
