French Civil Code
In forceAny person of full age may apply to the civil registrar of his or her place of residence or custodian of his or her birth certificate for a change of name to one of the names provided for in the first and last paragraphs of article 311-21. Without prejudice to article 61, this choice may only be made once.
Any person who provides proof of a name entered in the civil status register of another State may apply to the civil registrar holding his or her birth certificate established in France for a change of name in order to bear the name acquired in that other State. Where the person is a minor, the declaration is made jointly by both parents exercising parental authority or by the parent exercising parental authority alone, with his or her personal consent if he or she is over thirteen.
The change of name is recorded by the civil registrar in the current civil status register. In the case provided for in the first paragraph of this article, the change of name is recorded only after confirmation by the interested party before the civil registrar, at the earliest one month after receipt of the application.
In the event of difficulties, the civil registrar refers the matter to the public prosecutor, who may oppose the application. In this case, the interested party is notified.
Referred to under the same conditions, the public prosecutor for the place of birth may himself order the change of name.
The change of name acquired under the conditions set out in this article extends ipso jure to the beneficiary's children when they are under thirteen years of age. Beyond this age, their consent is required.
