How to change the surname of a minor child?

Questioner

Is permission from the father still required for a surname change of a minor child, regardless of whether I (mother) am the only one with parental authority and guardianship?

Lawyer

Yes, even if you are the sole parent with custody of the child, the consent of the other parent is still required for a surname change of a minor child under Dutch law. This is described in the Family Name Act as follows. In most cases, you must ask the other parent for permission (even if you have unilateral custody). However, this does depend on the degree of involvement of the other parent in the child's life. In exceptional cases, such as when the other parent is unreachable or when there is abuse, the judge may decide that the other parent's permission is not necessary. It is important that you seek advice from a legal expert or the judge. Please note that a surname change is a complex and time-consuming process and the rules are strict. There is no guarantee that a request for a surname change will be granted. The best interests of the child always come first.' ---------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer I would like to invite you to rate the above answer so that we can learn from your response.