User name: use of wife or husband's name
Verified 19 June 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
You just got married and you wonder if you can wear the surname of your spouse as your last name? We'll tell you what you need to know.
The common name differs from the surname which is the only one recorded on the civil status records. The common name is name you can use in everyday life.
The ability to use a username is optional and is automatic pitch. This is a personal choice which cannot be imposed on you.
Whether you're a man or a woman, you can use as a username the surname the person you are married to.
You can use as a usage:
- either the family name of your spouse,
- either your surname next to your spouse's surname in the order you want, and within the limit of a last name for each.
Example :
Simple name of 1er spouse and double name of 2d husband
Simple name of 1er spouse: BELIER
Dual name of 2d spouse: MARTIN AUBERT
The 1er spouses may choose the following names for use: MARTIN AUBERT, BELIER MARTIN, MARTIN BELIER, BELIER AUBERT
Example :
Double name for each spouse
Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE
Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN AUBERT
The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER MARTIN, MARTIN BELIER, GORCE MARTIN, MARTIN GORCE, GORCE AUBERT, AUBERT GORCE, BELIER AUBERT, AUBERT BELIER, MARTIN AUBERT
Example :
Compound name for each spouse
Name of 1er husband: BELIER-GORCE
Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT
The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER-GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER-GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT
Example :
Dual name of 1er spouse and compound name of 2nd husband
Name of 1er husband: BELIER FORCE
Name of 2nd husband: MARTIN-AUBERT
The 1er The husband may choose the following names as their common name: BELIER MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT BELIER, GORCE MARTIN-AUBERT, MARTIN-AUBERT GORCE, MARTIN-AUBERT
Warning
You may not use the name of your Civil partnership partner as your last name.
First mention of the user name on the identity document
To display a username on the identity card or the passport, you must:
- Populate Topic middle name on the form or pre-application for identity papers
- Provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract) of less than 3 months of age mentioning the marriage, or a full copy of the marriage certificate less than 3 months old.
These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents and provided at the same window.
FYI
Since the username is optional, there is no time limit for the username to be included on identity documents. You can do this whenever you want.
Renewal of an identity document
The approach varies depending on whether the use name is unchanged, modified, or no longer used.
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The usage name is unchanged
No new documents related to the username should be provided.
Usage name is changed
You need to provide new proof.
For example, a full copy of your birth certificate showing the names of the 2 parents if you want to use the name of the parent who was not passed on to you at birth.
These documents must be attached to the application file for identity documents.
The usage name is no longer used
Just leave out the section middle name on the form or pre-application for identity papers.
You can use the chosen usage name in all acts of private, family, social or professional life.
Once requested, the administration must use the last name in its correspondence to you.
You must to inform the various bodies of the chosen usage name.
Example :
To inform the health insurance, log in to your Ameli account (“My steps”).
Who shall I contact
FYI
If you no longer want the username to be used, just inform your interlocutors. You don't need to provide proof.
No, the choice of a username does not no effect on the surname of your common child.
Thus, your child's last name may be your name, that of your spouse, or your 2 names side by side.
Your common child's last name may be the same or different from your last name.
FYI
You can also choose a username for your minor child.
After a divorce, you lose the use of your husband's or wife's name.
However, you may retain its use with the agreement of your ex-spouse or with the agreement of the judge.
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With the agreement of your ex-husband or ex-wife
You may retain the use of your ex-spouse's name with his agreement. This agreement must be formalized in writing.
The agreement may be temporary. For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.
The agreement may be limited to your professional activity.
Please note
Your ex-husband or ex-wife may at any time ask the judge, through his lawyer, to cancel this agreement.
With the judge's approval
The judge may allow you to continue using the name of your ex-spouse. You can ask the judge for permission at the time of or after divorce.
You must to prove a particular interest for yourself or your children. This is the case for example if you are known with this name in your professional activity.
The agreement may be temporary. For example, up to the majority of the youngest child.
The agreement may be limited to your professional activity.
FYI
Authorization to use the name of the former spouse ceases in the event of remarriage.
Yes, you can continue to use the name of your deceased spouse as common name.
You have no no steps to take.
If you wish, you can put the words on your papers widowed or widow in front of surname of your spouse. However, this can only be added if your last name is the name of your spouse. Simply tick this choice in the relevant form.
Example :
Your birth name is Dupont.
The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.
You were using Martin as a common name instead of your birth name Dupont.
You can continue to use Martin as a common name.
You may choose to include the words widow: Dupont widow Martin.
Example :
Your birth name is Dupont.
The name of your deceased spouse is Martin.
You were using Dupont Martin as a common name.
You can continue to use Dupont Martin as a common name.
FYI
In case of remarriage, you can no longer list the surname of your deceased spouse on your identity card or other administrative document.
On the same subject
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Telephone administrative information - Hello Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
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The informants who answer you are from the Department of Justice.
- House of Justice and the Law
Use of spouse's name as a usage (Article 225-1)
Effect of divorce on the common name (Article 264)
Effect of Body Separation on Usage Name
Use of the user name by the administration on request (Article L111-3)
In case of remarriage
FAQ
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