Double-Barreled Surnames in 2025: What the Change Means for Couples

Since May 2025, both of you can share the same double-barreled surname. However, the decision is final, which is exactly why it’s worth taking the time to consider it carefully—not between door and doorway.

For many couples, the name question is the most underestimated part of wedding planning. You spend months fine-tuning the seating chart and playlist, and then suddenly, this one question arises, one that will literally accompany you for life: What will our married name be? The good news is that since the reform, you have significantly more flexibility than any generation before you.

What Has Really Changed

German naming law was long considered quite strict. Until now, spouses could either choose a shared married name at the time of marriage or keep their existing names, but a shared double-barreled surname for both was not allowed—only one partner could adopt a so-called accompanying name. In practice, this meant one person adapted, the other kept their name, and the lovely double-barreled surname usually stuck to just one person.

That’s over now. On May 1, 2025, the new naming law came into effect. It opens up new freedoms in name selection, particularly giving families the option to choose a true double-barreled surname. Specifically, this means: Married couples can now designate a double-barreled surname as their married name, combining both of their family names—for example, Arnheim-Bauer or Bauer-Arnheim, with or without a hyphen.

So if Lisa Becker and Lukas Schmidt get married, they can now jointly decide on Becker-Schmidt, Becker Schmidt, Schmidt-Becker, or Schmidt Becker. Both share the same name, and both are represented in it. That simply wasn’t possible before.

The New Rules, Simply Explained

As liberating as the reform sounds, there are still a few guidelines—and they actually make sense.

Maximum of Two Names

To prevent families from ending up with endless name chains, the system is capped. To avoid name chains, the number of individual names that can form a new double-barreled surname for spouses or children is limited to two. Müller-Schmidt is possible, Müller-Schmidt-Meier is not. If one of you already has a double-barreled surname, you’ll need to choose one part before combining.

Same Order for Both

You don’t each decide individually—you choose together. The order of the surnames and the hyphen are freely selectable, but both partners must choose the same double-barreled surname in the same order. You decide on one version, and it applies to both of you. A bit like wedding rings: they belong together.

Final as Long as the Marriage Lasts

This is the point where you should take a deep breath. A name choice, once made, isn’t a draft. A married name designation is irrevocable as long as the marriage exists. You can take your time with the decision, as the declaration isn’t bound by any deadline and can even be made years after the wedding. But once it’s set, it’s set. That’s why it’s wise to make the decision as a couple consciously, rather than in the hustle and bustle of the ceremony.

What About the Children?

For many, this is the real question behind the name question. The reform makes it pleasantly straightforward here. If married parents choose a double-barreled surname as their family name, their children automatically receive that double-barreled surname. You don’t have to renegotiate for every child—the shared name carries on naturally.

Interesting for those who want to keep their own names: If parents are unmarried or have kept their own surnames, their children can still adopt a double-barreled surname. So, the double-barreled surname isn’t mandatory for you as a couple just so the child can carry both family names.

International Couples: What You Should Know

If you come from two different countries or live abroad, things get a bit more complex, but even here, some restrictions have been eased. Since May 1, 2025, the law of the state of habitual residence generally applies. What matters now is where you live, not just which passport you hold.

This has a practical advantage in everyday life. No dual name declaration is required; in many cases, the name choice made abroad is now recognized in Germany without a separate name declaration. If you still prefer to decide according to German law, you can do so actively. At or after the marriage, spouses can choose the naming law of a state of which one of them is a citizen or in which one of them habitually resides by making a declaration to the registry office. For binational couples, a quick preliminary discussion at the registry office is worthwhile, as the details depend on the respective country.

Already Married? You’re Included Too

This might be the best surprise of the reform: it doesn’t just apply to newly engaged couples. Existing married couples also benefit from the changes.

Specifically, this means: Couples who married before May 1, 2025, can partially use the new options, particularly the introduction of shared double-barreled surnames or the revocation of a married name designated before May 1, 2025. If you previously set a married name, you may be able to redesignate it as a double-barreled surname under certain conditions. Spouses who already had a married name on May 1, 2025, can now redesignate it as a double-barreled surname.

Honestly, whether and how this applies in your specific case depends on your previous choice. It’s best to clarify this directly with your registry office, as they’ll review your record and tell you what’s possible.

How It Works in Practice: The Example of Münster

Whether you’re newly engaged or have been married for years, the process goes through the registry office. Local registry offices are responsible for applying for a married double-barreled surname.

In Münster, it’s well-organized. If you’d like to discuss your request in person, book an appointment at the registry office beforehand. Practical tip: For some questions, a phone appointment is offered first, so many issues can be clarified over the phone, and you’ll learn what next steps are needed and which documents you’ll require.

If you don’t decide on the name at the wedding but later, plan for two things. A fee is charged for the certification if the declaration is made later, and both spouses must submit the declaration together at the registry office. That means you’ll both need to go, and there’s a manageable fee. The new name will then appear in your ID documents, as the married double-barreled surname is also entered in the identity card.

If you’re planning a civil ceremony in Münster, check out our Guide to Getting Married in Münster for more on venues, procedures, and appointments.

Making the Decision: A Few Honest Questions

Before you finalize your choice, it’s worth setting aside a quiet evening together. Not between cake tastings and floristry, but with real time to reflect. These questions can help:

• Do we want our children to carry both families’ names?
• How does the name feel professionally—on a business card, in an email signature, or on a résumé?
• Does the combination sound smooth, or will it be a tongue-twister in everyday life?
• With or without a hyphen, and in which order does it feel right for both of us?
• Are we ready for this decision to be permanent?

And yes, some couples decide against the double-barreled surname after all this. It’s still possible to choose one of the two names as a shared surname or for each to keep their existing name. That’s not a step back—it’s just another form of togetherness.

Conclusion: A Name for Life, But the Right One

The reform is a real gain. For the first time, both of you can share the same name, one that unites both of your stories, and your children will inherit it naturally. At the same time, the choice remains binding as long as you’re married. That’s exactly why it’s not a weakness to take your time—it’s smart.

Don’t let wedding planning rush you. Talk it over, try the options out loud, sleep on it. Your name is more than just a word—it’s your shared story.