Use of Names
The choice of a name is a personal matter in which the individual circumstances of the person making the inquiry are important. At the same time, however, a name also serves an important legal function.
To ensure compliance with these fundamental principles , the Civil Registry Office (ZSA) must always conduct a case-by-case review. For this reason, the following explanations focus on basic information regarding the principles and options under Liechtenstein name law, as well as the relevant procedures in each case.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the use of names, we recommend that you read through this information and only then take any further steps based on it.
The following information is presented as simply as possible for ease of understanding and applies exclusively to Liechtenstein law regarding names.
In practice, each case must be assessed individually, and depending on the circumstances, additional or even different regulations may need to be observed. Example: If one or both parties to a marriage are foreign nationals, the rules governing the use of names for these individuals are governed not by Liechtenstein law but by the law of their home country.
Under Liechtenstein law governing names, the fundamental principle is that while names are part of a person’s identity, they also serve an important regulatory function.
This fundamental principle is implemented as follows:
- To ensure legal clarity, legal certainty, and the identifiability of individuals in legal transactions, and to serve the public interest in a functioning administration, judiciary, and society,the use of a name should generally be consistent, reliable, and traceable.
- For these reasons, an individual’s desire or personal need for a specific name is not the primary consideration. A name therefore cannot simply be changed at will; mere dissatisfaction or a spontaneous desire is not sufficient.
- Despite the importance of the public interest, however, there must be provisions allowing certain life circumstances, following appropriate review, to lead to a factually justified name change.
The above points are addressed in Liechtenstein’s law on names, which includes both family law provisions and administrative law provisions and instruments governing the use of names.
Liechtenstein’s law on names includes various definitions of the term “name.” These terms do not always mean the same thing, which can lead to misunderstandings. Accordingly, it is important to pay close attention to the specific term to be used and the legal context in each individual case.
The following explanations of the most common terms related to “names” should therefore be understood as highly simplified information intended to provide a basic overview of this complex subject.
- The term“name”is often used in Liechtenstein’s name law as a general umbrella term and is therefore usually defined very broadly. For example, in addition to family names, it also includes first names.
- The term“family name”focuses on the surname and refers to the legally adopted family name of an individual. For example, two people who have retained their names upon marriage also have two different family names.
- The“joint family name”is the family name that the spouses share. The joint family name is thus a special case of the family name—or, to put it another way: Every joint family name is a family name. But not every family name is a joint family name.
- The term“birth name”generally refers to the name a person received at birth. This can, for example, be the “joint last name” described above, which the child’s parents chose upon their marriage.
- The term“originalname”refers to a person’sbirthname. In many cases, this term may coincide with the “birth name.”
- The term“maiden name”is problematic because it is often used in everyday language to mean “a former name,” but this is not always clear (for example, in the case of a person who wants to marry for the second time but changed their name as part of their first marriage).
In the area of family law regarding the use of names, the law directly governs the use of names in certain cases (e.g., birth or marriage). Thus, there are options expressly provided for by law that may apply immediately, depending on the circumstances.
The most important cases involving family law name usage are outlined here.
If none of the provisions of family law regarding the use of names applies, only anadministrative name change may be considered.
In the following cases, the respective laws provide for the explicit possibility of changing one’s name.
Name Changes in Connection with Marriage
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Brief description: |
Determination of the spouses’ last names and their shared last name |
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Example: |
Surnames before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example Surnames after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel-Muster / Joint last name: Muster |
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Requirements: |
- |
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Procedure: |
· Thechoice of surname is determined during the marriage announcement, which takes place at the ZSA prior to the wedding ceremony. · To schedule an appointment for the marriage declaration, click here, select the option “Request for a Marriage Declaration Appointment,” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · The ZSA will then contact you to confirm the appointment and inform you, among other things, of the documents you must bring to the marriage declaration meeting. |
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Costs: |
· Included in the CHF 150.00 fee for the marriage announcement · Payment is made later via a consolidated invoice for the marriage |
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Law: |
Art. 44 of the Marriage Act of December 13, 1973 (EheG), LGBl. 1974 No. 20 |
Determination of the name for a minor child of unmarried parents, whereby the father provides his last name
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Brief description: |
Assignment of the father’s surname to a minor child when the child’s parents are not married to each other and the child therefore bears the mother’s surname |
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Example: |
Name prior to transfer: · Mother: Muster / Father: Beispiel / Child: Muster Name after transfer: · Mother: Muster / Father: Example / Child: Example |
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Requirements: |
· Minor child · Birth of the child, which has already been registered by the ZSA · Acknowledgment of paternity that has already been registered by the ZSA · Signatures of the mother, the child’s legal representative, and the child, if the child has reached the age of 14. |
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Procedure: |
· Click here, select the option “Determination of a name for a minor child of unmarried parents, whereby the father provides his last name,” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment time is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please report to our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that all relevant individuals can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The ZSA will then update the name in the civil registry so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Paymentis made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
§ 139a(2) of the General Civil Code of June 1, 1811 (ABGB), LGBl. 1003 No. 001 |
Reassumption of the maiden name or the name prior to marriage following a final divorce
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Brief description: |
Reassumption of the maiden name or the name held prior to marriage following divorce from a spouse. Available to the spouse whose name was changed upon marriage |
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Example: |
Name used before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel (maiden name) or Test (name before marriage) Name after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Muster-Beispiel Name after reclaiming maiden name following divorce: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example or Test |
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Requirements: |
· Afinal divorce decree that has already been registered by the ZSA |
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Procedure: |
· Click here,select the option “Reassumptionof maiden name or name prior to marriage following a final divorce,” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment time is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please arrive at our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that you can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The ZSA will then update your name in the civil registry so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
Art. 66, para. 2 of the Marriage Act of December 13, 1973 (EheG), LGBl. 1974 No. 20 |
Reinstatement of the surname held prior to marriage (possible only for marriages prior to January 1, 2015)
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Brief description: |
Adoption of the surname prior to marriage. Available to the spouse who adopted the other spouse’s surnameas part of the marriage ceremony |
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Example: |
Surname before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel Name after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Muster Name after reclaiming the maiden name: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel |
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Requirements: |
· Marriage before January 1, 2015 |
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Procedure: |
· Click here,select the option “Reinstatementof the surnameused before marriage (only possible for marriages before January 1, 2015),” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment date is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please arrive at our counter no earlier than your scheduled appointment so that you can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The ZSA will then update the name in the civil registry so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
Section 2, Paragraph 1 of the Act of September 4, 2014, Amending the Marriage Act, LGBl. 2014 No. 272 |
Reassumption of the maiden name or the name prior to marriage following the death of a spouse
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Brief description: |
Reassumption of the maiden name or the name held prior to marriage following the death of a spouse. Available to the spouse whose name was changed upon marriage |
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Example: |
Name used before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel (maiden name) or Test (name before marriage) Name after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Muster-Beispiel Name usage after reclaiming the name following a death: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example or Test |
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Requirements: |
· The deathof the spouse must already be registered with the ZSA |
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Procedure: |
Submit an“Application for Name Change”and fill it out as follows: · In the “Reasons” section, select “Personal Reasons” · In the questions that appear next—“Personal Motives and Reasons,” “Personal Disadvantages,” and “Personal Advantages and/or Goals”—write “Death of spouse” in all fields Answer the remaining questions as instructed. |
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Cost: |
· CHF 300.00 |
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Law: |
Art. 46, para. 1 of the Law on Persons and Companies of January 20, 1926 (PGR), LGBl. 1926 No. 4 |
Uniform naming provision for all children no later than the birth of the first child
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Brief description: |
Determination of a common family name prior to the birth of the first child, provided that the parents did not establish a common family name at the time of their marriage |
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Example: |
Surnames before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example Surnames after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example / Shared last name: not determined Name usage no later than the birth of the first child: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel / Shared last name: Muster |
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Requirements: |
· The surnamemust be determined no later than the birth of the first child so that all subsequent children born to the couple receive the same last name. |
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Procedure: |
· Click here, select the option “Uniform surname determination for all children by the birth of the first child at the latest,” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment date is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please report to our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that both parents can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The name will then be updated by the Civil Status Office (ZSA) in the civil status records so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
§ 139(2) of the General Civil Code of June 1, 1811 (ABGB), LGBl. 1003 No. 001 |
Name determination for a child of unmarried parents when the mother has a double surname (must be done before the child’s birth)
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Brief description: |
Determination of the common surname for children of an unmarried mother who herself has a double surname. In this case, the mother must decide which part of the double surname will become the common surname |
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Example: |
Surname before birth: · Mother : Muster-Test · Father : Example · Child : Muster or Test |
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Requirements: |
· - |
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Procedure: |
·Click here,select the option“ Naminga child of unmarried parents when the mother has a double surname (must be done before the child’s birth),” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment time is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please check in at our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that you, as the mother, can sign the name declaration we have prepared. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if necessary |
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Law: |
§ 139a(1) of the General Civil Code of June 1, 1811 (ABGB), LGBl. 1003 No. 001 |
Reassumption of the surname prior to registration of the partnership following dissolution of the partnership
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Brief description: |
Reassumption of the name prior to the registration of the partnership due to the dissolution of the partnership. Available to the spouse whose name was changed as part of the partnership registration |
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Example: |
Name used prior to the registration of the partnership: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example Name after registration of the partnership: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Muster-Beispiel Name usage after dissolution of the registered partnership: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel |
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Requirements: |
· A legally effective dissolution of the partnership that has already been registered by the ZSA |
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Procedure: |
· Click here, select the option “Reassumption of the name held prior to the registration of the partnership following the dissolution of the partnership,” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment time is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please arrive at our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that you can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The ZSA will then update the name in the civil registry so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
Art. 28a of the Act on Registered Partnerships for Same-Sex Couples of September 1, 2011 (PartG), LGBl. 2011 No. 350 |
Change of the chosen double surname (possible only for marriages before January 1, 2015)
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Brief description: |
Change of the double surname chosen at the time of marriage by the spouse who changed their name upon marriage and used the first part of their double surname at that time |
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Example: |
Surname before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel-Test Name after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Example-Muster Name after exchange: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Test-Muster or Muster-Test |
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Requirements: |
· Marriage before January 1, 2015 · The first name from the double surname already used prior to the wedding was usedto form the new double surname |
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Procedure: |
· Click here,select the option “Changeof the selected double surname (only possible for marriages before January 1, 2015),” and schedule an appointment with us on the next page. · Please note that your choice of appointment date is important to us so that we can complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. · Please report to our counter no earlier than the agreed-upon appointment time so that you can sign the name declaration we have prepared. · The ZSA will then update the name in the civil registry so that it appears, for example, on new identification documents. |
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Fees: |
· CHF 100.00 · Payment is made directly at the counter via debit card or in cash. An invoice will be issued if needed |
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Law: |
Section 2, Paragraph 2 of the Act of September 4, 2014, Amending the Marriage Act, LGBl. 2014 No. 272 |
Adoption of a surname prior to marriage if the marriage is annulled
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Brief description: |
Reinstatement of the name held prior to marriage. Available to the spouse whose name was changed upon marriage |
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Example: |
Surname before marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel Name after marriage: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Muster Name after reinstatement following a declaration of invalidity: · Person 1: Muster / Person 2: Beispiel |
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Requirements: |
· A final courtorder |
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Procedure: |
· There is no formal name change. Rather, both the name and marital status are restored to their pre-marriage statusas soon as the court orderbecomes final . · You do not need to take any action. If you would like confirmation of your updated name and marital status, you can order an extract from the civil registry here for a fee. |
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Costs: |
- |
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Law: |
Art. 42(1) of the Marriage Act of December 13, 1973 (EheG), LGBl. 1974 No. 20 |
Correction of a Presumed Discrepancy in Name Usage
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Brief description: |
Application for correction of a presumed or known discrepancy in the use of a name |
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Requirements: |
· Official document evidencing the discrepancy (e.g., birth certificate) |
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Procedure: |
· Submit a written request to the ZSA. The request must include at least your current name and the name you believe to be correct, along with your justification for the correct name, citing your official document. · The ZSA will review your request and then notify you of the outcome. |
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Costs: |
- |
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Law: |
Art. 87 of the Law on Persons and Companies of January 20, 1926 (PGR), LGBl. 1926 No. 4 |
If there are no specific family law provisions governing a desired name change, it may be possible to determine whether an administrative name change is an option.
The use of a name under administrative law is governed by Art. 46 of the Law on Persons and Companies of January 20, 1926 (PGR), LGBl. 1926 No. 4. This provision states that a name change may only be granted if there are compelling reasons related to personal, business, or professional circumstances.
The ZSA assesses the applicability of this article by evaluating the reasons presented on a case-by-case basis, including by comparing them to the underlying principles and guidelines.
The ZSA provides the form “Request for Name Change,” a service that allows individuals to obtain a basic legal review and initial assessment regarding the feasibility of an administrative name change at no cost .
It is strongly recommended to use this service by selecting the name change type “None of the above name change types apply (administrative name change)” on the form.