Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Order or artistic name Apply for authorization to use

Prerequisites

Order name:

• Your religious name was verifiably given to you by an officially recognized religious community whose funding is not based on donations or membership fees

Artist name:

• You demonstrably use the artist name regularly in connection with an artistic activity.
• Your stage name clearly differs from your real name and is known to the public.
• You can prove this, for example, through media reports, memberships in professional associations, public appearances, exhibitions or editorial contributions. A high online reach (clicks, likes, followers) alone is not sufficient as proof.

Documents required

• During the interview, the basic requirements for the application will be discussed, your individual circumstances will be addressed, and the further application procedures will be discussed with you.
• You will be called at the agreed time on the telephone number you provided (telephone number required).

Should you be unable to attend your appointment or fail to provide your telephone number when booking, please inform us promptly by email: m2511@amtfuermigration.hamburg.de

Please note

• You can only register a religious or artistic name in Germany. The registration has no legal effect abroad or in public law.
• If you withdraw your application or have already received a legally binding decision, you can submit a new application at any time if the requirements have changed and you provide the relevant evidence.
• Even if you are entitled to use a stage name or religious name, you must continue to use your legal name. When you apply for a new identity card or passport, you must therefore continue to sign with your legal name.
• If you take a religious name, you must also include titles such as “Father” and “Sister.”
• The Artists' Social Insurance Fund (KSK) defines which activities are considered artistic or journalistic and can serve as a guide for the recognition of artistic activity.
• It may be advisable for you to seek legal advice regarding the private use of a religious or artistic name.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

• You book an available appointment by providing your telephone number.
  or write an email with your request to the responsible authority and include the following information
  • name
  • First name(s)
  • Birth name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Address
  • Phone number and times when you can be reached
  • Desired artist or religious name
  • Her artistic work
  • Since when have you been working under this name?
• The responsible department will contact you by phone to arrange a preliminary meeting.
• In a preliminary consultation, you will receive advice regarding your request and the current requirements. This will clarify whether your application has a prospect of success.
• After the preliminary discussion, you will receive an email with the opportunity to submit the application for registration of your religious or stage name.
• You submit your application along with the necessary documents.
• Your application will be reviewed.
• You will be informed of the decision by email or telephone.
• You will schedule an appointment for a personal consultation. Depending on the outcome of the procedure, you will receive further information at this appointment.
  • a certificate authorizing the use of the religious or artistic name,
  • a rejection notice or
  • the option to withdraw your application informally.
• You can then use the certificate to apply for a new passport or identity card.

Processing time

If all required documents are available, processing usually takes about 4 weeks.

Fees

since 01.01.2026




€46.00 if accepted

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

Identity Card Act (PAuswG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pauswg/BJNR134610009.html


Passport Act (PassG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pa_g_1986/BJNR105370986.html