Judgment of the Rotterdam District Court dated February 27, 2023

On February 27, 2023, the court granted the petitioner’s request to change the first name of her minor son. The petitioner is from Sierra Leone* and came to the Netherlands, where she gave birth to her son. She wanted her son to be named [X], but due to a language barrier, the name was mistakenly registered differently by the municipal official. The petitioner had previously attempted to change her son’s name through the municipality, but this was not possible. Now, through a court procedure, she has the opportunity to change her son’s first name, partly because she was recently informed that they will be granted Dutch citizenship.

In the proceeding, the petitioner indicated that she and her son still need to formally obtain Dutch citizenship, as evidenced by a decision from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) that she has provided. If the court wishes to grant the request, she requests that the procedure be postponed if necessary until she and her son have been formally granted Dutch citizenship (including participation in the citizenship ceremony).

The petitioner argues that she has a compelling interest in changing her son’s first name. The court agrees with this argument and grants the request to change her son’s first name (in writing). No oral hearing was held.

*Details are fictional.