Fee for a minor child

The cost of changing the first name of a minor child

For a request to change the first name of a minor child, we charge a standard fee of €699.00, including VAT and the court’s required registration fees (which amount to €314.00 in 2023). In general, the court almost always grants requests for a first name change, in which case the case is handled entirely in writing from start to finish. If the court has any questions about the request, an oral hearing may be scheduled. In that case as well, the aforementioned fee is applied, and no additional costs are incurred.

Multiple children

The above-mentioned fee also applies if you are changing the first names of multiple children. You can request the change of the first names of multiple children in one request without incurring additional costs. It’s important to note that only parents can change the first name of a minor child. A legal adult child can submit a request for a first name change independently.

Subsidized legal aid (Pro-Deo):

If your income as parents falls below a certain threshold, you may be eligible for pro bono (pro-deo) assistance. This means you are only responsible for your own contribution and a reduced registration fee, and the rest is covered by the government. In this case, our office fee does not apply. If you are eligible for pro bono assistance, the municipality typically reimburses the costs of your own contribution and the registration fee, making the first name change procedure essentially cost-free.

However, there is a condition: pro bono assistance is only granted if your child experiences demonstrable hardship due to their first name, in addition to the financial assessment. You can submit your request for a first name change to us for consideration, and we will also assess whether you may be eligible for pro bono assistance. If you do not qualify, this will be discussed with you, and you can decide whether or not to proceed with the procedure at the aforementioned office fee.

It’s important to know that the eligibility for pro bono assistance is separate from the request for a first name change with the court itself. The court typically grants the request for a first name change, but pro bono assistance is evaluated separately by the Legal Aid Board, and the threshold for approval is higher.

For sample procedures we have handled based on pro bono assistance, please refer to our blog page under the “pro bono” category.

Reduced court fee

If you do not meet the requirements for pro bono assistance but your income falls below the established threshold, you can still qualify for a reduced registration fee (€86.00). The total cost for the first name change application would then be €599.00, including VAT and the reduced registration fee for the entire procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ webpage.