Judgment of the District Court of North Holland dated January 27, 2021

The petitioner has two given names. His second given name, Pieters*, refers to his biological father, with whom the petitioner has a very poor relationship. The father has committed various damaging acts in the past, including fraud, affecting the petitioner and his siblings.

The petitioner has completely severed ties with his father. Because his ID displays the second given name, Pieters, the petitioner is frequently reminded of his father in daily life. This bothers him considerably, and he wants his second given name to be removed. In the past, the petitioner’s father made several incorrect (financial) decisions, leading to threats from creditors and forcing the family to move.

Moreover, the petitioner’s father once deceived him, involving identity fraud regarding the children and interfering with the family’s social income. The father has caused the family a great deal of hardship and sorrow.

The petitioner would prefer to change his current surname as well, even though it is less burdensome since he shares it with his sisters. He also believes that his family as a whole should not suffer from the troubles his father caused. The petitioner finds it very unpleasant to be constantly reminded of his father through his second given name. He hardly ever uses the name anymore, but he is occasionally confronted with it, such as when booking a (flight) holiday or during formal matters.

Considering the above, the petitioner wishes to adopt different given names. These would still be names in honor of someone but would no longer reference his father. The court agrees with the petitioner’s view on the substantial importance of the name change request and grants the request.

*The real given name is fictitious.