Judgment of the Amsterdam District Court of February 10, 2021

Petitioner has been using the first name Anne since birth, but her parents forgot to report it officially when she was born. As a result, she only has her second and third names on her passport. This situation has not been much of an issue during her youth. However, as she gets older, it increasingly bothers her that her first name is not officially registered.

Petitioner often encounters awkward situations regarding her first name. She frequently has to explain why the names on her passport are different from the one she actually uses, Anne. Her friends, family, and acquaintances are aware of her preferred name, but the inconvenience arises mainly when dealing with official matters. She feels a certain disconnection with her identity since it appears on paper as if she has two identities. Every time she is confronted with the names on her passport, it seems like they belong to someone else. Petitioner has been using the name Anne since her early childhood.

Petitioner can provide evidence that she has been using the name Anne since her youth. She has diplomas, letters, and tickets, among other documents, where the first name Anne is used. She also incorporates the name into her email addresses and social media accounts whenever possible. Petitioner is not aware of why her parents did not report the name Anne during her birth registration, but she believes it was an oversight.

Based on these facts and circumstances, the court deems that there is a sufficiently compelling interest, and it grants the request. After the formal three-month period for any potential appeals, petitioner can apply for a new passport, and it will include the name Anne. She can also choose to update the name on her diplomas if desired.