Choosing a Child’s First and Family Name in Austria: Rules for 2026

If your child is born in Austria, there are rules governing the choice and registration of the name. This guide explains who may choose the first name, which names are permitted, when the information must be submitted and how the child’s family name is determined when the parents are married.

Who chooses the child’s first name?

Giving a child a first name (Vorname) is part of parental custody (Obsorge), meaning the duty to care for and raise the child.

• For a child born to married parents: the parents are entitled to choose the first name.
• For a child born outside marriage: as a general rule, the mother chooses the first name.

If the people entitled to choose cannot agree, do not provide a first name or provide a name that is not permitted, the competent registry office informs the guardianship court (Pflegschaftsgericht).

Which first names are allowed?

The following rules apply to children with Austrian personal status (österreichisches Personalstatut):

1. The child’s interests come first. The chosen name must not disadvantage the child. It must not be ridiculous or offensive.
2. The first name must correspond to the child’s sex. At least the first first name must correspond to the child’s sex.
3. No more than two names may be combined. Only two simple first names may be joined with a hyphen or written as a compound name. A registration such as Karl-Franz-Heinz would have to be rejected as an unusual name.
4. A compound name counts as one name. A hyphenated or compound first name is treated as a single first name. Its complete form must be used in all official documents and administrative procedures; it may not be abbreviated.

Where and when must the first name be registered?

The declaration concerning the first name must be made in writing at the registry office (Standesamt) where the child was born. This declaration is a requirement for issuing the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde).

The parent entitled to custody must submit the documents required for registering the birth within one week. These may include:

• the declaration giving the first name,
• proof of the parents’ nationality,
• proof of the parents’ main residence if they live abroad,
• the birth confirmation (Geburtsbestätigung).

You do not need to do this separately if the healthcare staff have already forwarded the documents or if the process has been completed through Babypoint.

After the birth, it is also worth starting other procedures in good time, such as applying for family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) and childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).

What family name does a child receive when the parents are married?

The family name (Familienname) depends on whether the married parents share a family name.

• The parents have a common family name: the child automatically receives the common family name, which may also be a double name such as Müller-Mayer.
• One parent has a double name in addition to the common name: the child may receive either the common name or the parent’s double name.
• The parents do not have a common family name and do not decide: the child automatically receives the mother’s family name, even if it is a double name.

A child’s double family name may contain no more than two parts, which must be separated by a hyphen.

Example: Markus Mayer and Inge Bauer choose Bauer as their common family name. After the marriage, Markus Mayer uses the double name Bauer-Mayer. Their child’s name may be Bauer, but may also be Bauer-Mayer.

Who decides the family name?

The family name is determined by the parent who has been entrusted with the child’s care and upbringing (custody, Obsorge). In cases of joint custody (gemeinsame Obsorge), which is the general rule for married parents, the parents must decide together.

For the registry office, it is sufficient for one parent to declare that both parents agree.

When must the family name be determined?

Determining the family name is not subject to a deadline. You can do this:

• when the birth is registered, when the birth certificate is issued, or
• later at any Austrian registry office, because every registry office throughout Austria has access to the Central Civil Status Register (Zentrales Personenstandsregister, ZPR).

As a result, a child may initially receive the mother’s family name because no decision has yet been made, and later receive a different family name after a name determination.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give my child three first names joined with hyphens?

No. For a child with Austrian personal status, no more than two simple first names may be joined with a hyphen or written as a compound name.

What happens if we cannot agree on the first name?

If the people entitled to choose cannot reach an agreement, the registry office informs the guardianship court.

What family name does the child receive if we do not decide?

If married parents do not have a common family name and do not determine the child’s name, the child automatically receives the mother’s family name.

Do both parents have to attend the registry office concerning the family name?

In cases of joint custody, one parent’s statement that both parents agree is sufficient for the registry office.

Practical steps after the birth

1. Decide on the child’s first name, ensuring that it meets the rules on the child’s interests, sex and compound names.
2. Prepare the written first-name declaration and the documents required for registering the birth.
3. Submit the documents to the registry office (Standesamt) within one week, unless the healthcare staff or Babypoint has already completed the process.
4. Decide on the child’s family name if the parents do not have a common family name. This can also be done later at any Austrian registry office.
5. Start other relevant procedures after the birth, including family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) and childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use of the information is at your own responsibility. For professional advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at