Name Change in the Vehicle Registration Certificate and Vehicle Title

If your name has changed due to personal circumstances, e.g. marriage or divorce, or in the case of companies if the company name has changed, you have to get this registered in the vehicle documents.

Related forms and processes

Prerequisite

Sie haben Ihren persönlichen Namen oder Ihren Firmennamen geändert.

Responsible department

the registration authorities (Zulassungsbehörde), which are responsible for the principle residence of the owner (otherwise: company premises or location of the relevant subsidiary)

The registration authorities are

for an urban district (Stadtkreis): the city council (Stadtverwaltung)
for a rural district (Landkreis): the rural district office (Landratsamt)

Standard port

Geben Sie in der Ortswahl Ihren Hauptwohnsitz, den Betriebssitz oder Ort der Niederlassung ein.

Procedure

You have to apply for the change to the registration authorities or your principal residence, company premises or the location of the relevant subsidiary either personally or by a third party with a written authorisation.

If you need an application form, you can collect it from the registration authorities and fill it out later at your own convenience. Depending on what is offered by the registration authorities, you may be able to download the relevant form from their website or apply online.

Deadlines

You must make these changes as soon as possible.

Required documents

The vehicle registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I) (previously called "Fahrzeugschein") and the vehicle title (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II) (previously called "Fahrzeugbrief")
Valid ID card or passport or alternatively documents from the Register Office (e.g. certificate of marriage or divorce)
If you are being represented by a person with your written authorisation: in addition to the above
- valid identity card or passport of your representative
For underage vehicle owners: in addition to the above
- declaration of consent and identity documents of the legal custodian
For legal entities/companies:
- excerpt from the Commercial Register, Business Registration or excerpt from the Register of Associations (Vereinsregisterauszug)

Costs

The fees charged are based on the administrative costs (from 11,40 euros).

Note: These charges also apply even if there is space left in the old-style vehicle title and a new-style vehicle registration certificate needs to be issued because a new-style vehicle title was issued.

Legal basis

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Verkehrsministerium released it on 16.08.2021. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.

In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.