Article 70. Change of a child's first name and surname

At the joint request of the parents before the child reaches the age of sixteen, the civil registry office shall be entitled - in the interests of the child - to change the child's first name, as well as change the surname assigned to the child to the surname of the other parent.

If parents live separately and the parent with whom the child lives wishes to give the child his/her surname, the guardianship and trusteeship body shall resolve the issue in accordance with the child's best interests and considering the opinion of the other parent. Consideration of the opinion of the parent shall not be required where it is impossible to locate him/her, where he/she has been deprived of parental rights, where he/she has been declared legally incapable, or where the parent refuses without valid reason to raise and support the child.

If a child is born to parents who are not married to each other and legal paternity has not been established, the guardianship and trusteeship body may - in the interests of the child - change the child's surname to the surname of the mother that she has at the time the request is made.

The first name or surname of a child who has attained the age of ten years may be changed only with his/her consent.