Patronymic names in The Netherlands
What is a patronymic or patronym?
In many countries a patronymic name is automatically added to a child’s surname. A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the first name of the child's father.
For example, a Russian child could be named “Peter Vladimirovitsj Pan”. The name Vladimirovitsj is added automatically to Peter’s family name and means “son of Vladimir”.
This is generally registered as:
- First name: Peter
- Family name: Vladimirovitsj Pan
As the Netherlands does not have patronyms, a patronymic is recorded in the Netherlands as a middle name and therefore as one of the first names. The patronym is therefore registered as follows in The Netherlands:
- First name: Peter Vladimirovitsj
- Family name: Pan
In which countries do they have patronyms?
Patronyms are common in the following countries, in the sense that they are a normal part of a person's surname:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bulgaria
- Ethiopia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Tadzhikistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
I was born in a country where they use patronymic names. With what name am I registered in The Netherlands?
When a person comes to live in The Netherlands and wants to register here, their birth certificate will be used as the source document for drawing up Dutch documents. Many countries with a patronymic system do not actually record the patronymic on the passports of their citizens. Hence, their birth certificate and passport often do not match.
The Dutch authorities will base the registration solely on the information recorded in the birth certificate. The birth certificate is the so-called source document (in Dutch: “brondocument”) for all European countries. The name on your passport is not relevant to the authorities.
As a result, the patronym will be listed next to your other names in the Dutch official registers and will therefore also be present on Dutch bank accounts, telephone subscriptions, etc.
It is therefore possible that the Dutch documents record the patronym as a middle name, while this name is not stated on your passport. This may lead to identification problems, for example when travelling.
How can I ensure that the authorities record my patronymic name correctly?
If the municipality you are registered in has accidentally not recorded your patronymic name, although it is mentioned on your birth certificate, you can approach the municipality and request that your registration be corrected. For this you must produce your birth certificate with your patronymic name on it. Even still, it may take a formal written request to have the registration altered.
How do you remove a patronym?
If the Dutch authorities recorded your patronymic name as part of your first name, but you do not want it recorded as a first/ middle name (an extra initial!), it will be difficult to change the registration. Regarding names, the law of your nationality is applicable and in your country of origin the registration is correct. Moreover, as stated above, the registration will be based on your birth certificate.
Therefore, if you do not have Dutch nationality, you generally only have a realistic chance of omitting the patronym if you can present a birth certificate without the patronymic name.
If you (also) have Dutch nationality, you can submit a request for a change of first name to the court with the help of a lawyer. Although the patronym is not a first or middle name in your place of birth, this is the appropriate procedure in The Netherlands.
More information about changing your name in The Netherlands can be found here and on our dedicated website Dutch Name Change.
How can Bowmer & Nuiten help you?
The above is intended as basic information regarding the registration of patronyms in The Netherlands. The reality can be even more complicated.
If you have any questions or need help altering your official registration, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss your options for having your patronymic name recorded in or removed from your Dutch papers.
