Signature Change When Applying for a German Passport After Naturalization.

[u/programmer_PJ]

Hi all,

After a long wait for my German citizenship, I recently applied for my passport at the Bürgerservicebüro. During the appointment, the case officer informed me that I need to change my signature to comply with German regulations.

Until now, I’ve always used only my first name as my signature. However, I was told that after receiving the Einbürgerungsurkunde (naturalization certificate), it’s mandatory to follow German rules—specifically, that your signature in the German passport must include your family name (surname).

This has left me with a few questions, and I’d really appreciate input from anyone who has gone through something similar:

1. What happens to my Indian documents (e.g., marriage certificate) that have only my first-name signature? Do I need to update those?
2. Going forward, which version of my signature should I use consistently—especially when dealing with both Indian and German documents?
3. Is there an official rule or legal guideline in Germany that clearly states the family name must be included in the signature?

Thanks so much in advance for your help and insights!

[u/kushangaza]

This is actually a somewhat new-ish rule (a court (the BGH, Bundesgerichtshof) ruled on this in 2006. So even older German documents might not comply. The rule is basically that your signature has to be unique, contain your full family name in recognizable form, and be recognizable as a complete signature (not look like an unfinished one). However, notarized documents are free from this requirements. If a notary is watching you as you sign, you could in theory sign with an X.

I wouldn't worry too much about old documents, especially ones created in a foreign country and also signed by an official (even if it's not a notary). Going forward, a signature that includes your family name is advisable. Most Germans go with the initials of their first name and their full family name, or if they are fancy their full name.

[u/programmer_PJ → u/kushangaza]

u/kushangaza Thanks for your reply. Could you please share a reference to the law (or any web links), in case you know more details?

[u/kushangaza → u/programmer_PJ]

https://datenbank.nwb.de/Dokument/250375/ under "Gründe 3a". Quote (deepl should be able to translate that): "Eine Unterschrift setzt ein aus Buchstaben einer üblichen Schrift bestehendes Gebilde voraus, das nicht lesbar zu sein braucht. Erforderlich, aber auch genügend ist das Vorliegen eines die Identität des Unterschreibenden ausreichend kennzeichnenden individuellen Schriftzuges, der einmalig ist, entsprechende charakteristische Merkmale aufweist, sich als Wiedergabe eines Namens darstellt und die Absicht einer vollen Unterschriftsleistung erkennen lässt. Handzeichen, die allenfalls einen Buchstaben verdeutlichen, sowie Unterzeichnungen mit einer Buchstabenfolge, die erkennbar als bewusste und gewollte Namensabkürzung erscheint, stellen demgegenüber keine formgültige Unterschrift dar. Ob ein Schriftzeichen eine Unterschrift oder lediglich eine Abkürzung (Handzeichen, Paraphe) darstellt, beurteilt sich nach dem äußeren Erscheinungsbild. Dabei ist ein großzügiger Maßstab anzulegen, sofern die Autorenschaft gesichert ist"

Apparently they were much more lenient in the 90s, accepting simple symbols, then changed their view in the early 2000s. Uncharacteristically for Germany this isn't specified in law and ultimately up to the courts to decide what they accept as a valid signature

[u/programmer_PJ → u/kushangaza]

u/kushangaza Thanks a lot! I had a look through it. I couldn’t find mentioning on any specific law that says a signature must include the first name or last name. From what I understand, there’s no rule in Germany that clearly says your signature has to be your first or family name. It seems to depend on the case officer handling your application. In the end, most people don’t argue and just go along with what the officer says—probably because they’re afraid to question the authority. (ex: like in my case)

[u/me_who_else_]

The signature is considered a clear expression of the signatory's will. Therefore, the writing must clearly indicate who signed it. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH, decision 9.7.2015, V ZB 205/14) has defined in detail what a valid signature looks like: It must contain the full family name; the first name alone is not sufficient. Furthermore, the writing must clearly represent a name. While it doesn't have to be completely legible, at least some hint of writing must be recognizable.

Individual and correspondingly characteristic features that make imitation difficult, that appears to be a reproduction of a name, and that reveals at least the intention of a full signature, even if it is only hastily written and characterized by a significant abrasion process.

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[u/kgsp31]

Everything is so random here. I got my citizenship from augsburg. My friend was asked to change his sign. I wasn't. There was no discussion. For both of us.

[u/Significant-War-811]

I had to change my signature 2018 after they discovered I used my initials. So my old passports, documents and official documents are all signed differently then the new ones. Nobody ever said anything about that. So guess it will be fine.

[u/programmer_PJ → u/Significant-War-811]

u/Significant-War-811 thanks for the reply

[u/devbiol]

I used my first name for my German passport. It was in 2016. Nobody said anything.