Advice prior to change of name – Belgian residents

Irish citizens resident in Belgium considering a change of name on their passport (e.g. following marriage) are advised to proceed with caution and fully inform themselves of issues that may arise. This practice is not common in Belgium and may cause administrative issues.

In recent years, the Embassy has been made aware of citizens encountering issues following changes of name in areas such as renewing residence cards or driving licences and dealing with banks and utility providers.

If you proceed to change your name, Belgian authorities may insist that you update your name on all documentation.

Information on the requirements for a passport name change is available from the Passport Service.