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Does my surname change when I marry? Which surname will our child get?

In short

Under Belgian law, marriage does not change anyone's surname. The parents choose the child's surname together: the father's, the mother's or both. Your country's records may show something different.

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This rule in 63 seconds
Video transcript

You got married in Belgium. Now your spouse's surname will go on your identity card, you think. Allowed: Under Belgian law, marriage changes nobody's surname. The parents choose the child's surname together: the father's, the mother's or both. The right way: Choose the surname together at the birth registration. To keep your maiden name in your country's records, ask the consulate in writing. Good to know: Penalty: None; If you disagree: Both names, alphabetical; In your country's records: Name may differ.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Under Belgian law, marriage does not change your surname; both spouses keep their own name. Your spouse's name is not put on your identity card, but it can be added to a Belgian passport on request.
  • You may only use your spouse's name in your working life with their consent.
  • Belgium determines a person's name according to the law of the country of their nationality. If you only have a foreign nationality, that country's law applies. If you are Belgian and also have another nationality, Belgian law applies unless you have chosen otherwise.
  • When the birth is registered, the parents choose the child's surname: the father's, the mother's or both, in whichever order they like. If they disagree or refuse to choose, the child gets both names in alphabetical order. The chosen name also applies to any later children of the same parents.
  • The rules differ from country to country: in some countries, a woman takes her husband's surname when she marries or uses both names. Ask your consulate about your country's rules.
  • If you want to keep your maiden name when your Belgian marriage is registered in your country of origin, ask the consulate in writing how to do this.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
No penalty.
Court / prison
No prison sentence.

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • Your surname may be written differently in your country's records and in the Belgian records. Documents that do not match can cause problems with passports, plane tickets, banks or property.
  • The surname given to your child in Belgium may be written differently in your country's records; ask the consulate for advice when you register the birth.
  • In Belgium, you can only change your surname later in limited cases: once, at the municipality, to a parent's surname; otherwise by a reasoned application to the FPS Justice (only for Belgian citizens, recognised refugees and stateless persons).

    Legal basis:FOD Buitenlandse Zaken – Afstamming en naam naar Belgisch recht

Why does this rule exist?

Belgium starts from the principle that a person's name stays the same from birth and that men and women are equal. Fathers and mothers also have an equal say in their child's surname.

Where can you go?

  • Violence helplineFlanders 1712 (weekdays 09–18) · Wallonia and Brussels 0800 30 030 (partner violence), 103 (child abuse) · Emergency 112
  • Child and family servicesFlanders: Kind en Gezin / Opgroeien · Wallonia and Brussels: ONE
  • School guidance centreThe school's CLB / centre PMS
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
11 / 14 statements in an official source
Checked: 23.10.2026
Last checked
23.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 14 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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