Name Usage in Marriage in Delft
In Delft, when getting married, you can choose how to use your surname. By default, you keep your own name, but options include adopting your partner's surname, using a double name, or other combinations. Family law provides this flexibility to maintain or merge your identity. This article highlights the rules, choices, and tips for name usage in marriage specifically for residents of Delft, with references to local authorities like the Municipality of Delft.
Definition and Explanation of Name Usage in Marriage in Delft
Name usage in marriage describes how partners in Delft handle their surnames after their wedding. The Netherlands follows the principle of individual naming: you automatically retain your own surname, unlike traditions in other places where the woman often takes the man's name. The law offers freedom based on personal, cultural, or practical considerations. In Delft, you arrange this through the civil registry of the Municipality of Delft; a change is optional. This article builds on our overview of name change after marriage, with a focus on choices during the ceremony in Delft.
Legal Basis
The regulations for name usage in marriage are found in Book 1 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), particularly the articles on family names. Article 1:9 BW determines the family name for married and registered partners in the Netherlands, including Delft. Partners keep their own name unless they decide otherwise at the marriage. Key provisions include:
- Article 1:10 BW: You can adopt your partner's surname as your family name.
- Article 1:11 BW: Option for a double family name by combining surnames (e.g., Jansen-Van Dijk).
- Article 1:12 BW: For children, the parents' name applies, but parents can choose at registration.
These rules, introduced to promote equality and combat gender discrimination, were expanded by the Act on Individualization of Family Names in 1998. For marriages with international partners, the Hague Convention on Names (1980) applies, as recognized in the Netherlands. If you marry abroad, register the name change in Delft with the Municipality of Delft. For advice on complex cases, contact the Legal Aid Office in Delft.
Options for Name Usage in Marriage in Delft
When getting married in Delft, you declare your name preference to the civil registry officer. The options are flexible and can differ for each partner. Overview:
| Option | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Keep your own surname | You retain your birth name; no changes needed. | Anna de Vries remains Anna de Vries after marrying Tom Jansen in Delft. |
| Adopt your partner's surname | Full adoption of your partner's surname. | Anna de Vries becomes Anna Jansen. |
| Double surname | Combination of surnames, with or without a hyphen. | Anna de Vries and Tom Jansen both choose De Vries-Jansen. |
| Prefix or suffix | Adding a surname to your own name. | Tom Jansen becomes Tom Jansen-de Vries. |
Joint choices, such as a double name, require agreement from both partners. Registered partners follow the same rules (Article 1:80a BW). After the marriage in Delft, you cannot easily change your name; it requires a procedure through the District Court of The Hague (see name change procedure).
Rights and Obligations Regarding Name Usage in Delft
You can freely choose your name without external interference, as long as it's not fraudulent. Obligations include notifying the civil registry and updating documents like your passport and driver's license through the Municipality of Delft. A double name involves extra administration with authorities.
- Right to privacy: Name choices remain confidential outside the marriage certificate.
- Obligation for consistency: Update your name in contracts, banks, and work in Delft.
- Right to correction: Request fixes from the Municipality of Delft if registration is incorrect.
For children born after the marriage, you choose the family name at birth registration (Article 1:5 BW), which promotes family continuity. The Legal Aid Office in Delft offers free advice for residents of Delft.
Practical Examples for Delft
For instance, suppose Lisa Bakker and Mark Smit get married in Delft. Lisa, a teacher at TU Delft, keeps her name for her professional network. Mark agrees, and for their children, they choose Bakker-Smit. After the ceremony, Lisa renews her passport at the Municipality of Delft for €10, a process that takes a few weeks.
In an international case, Juan Garcia (Spanish) marries Sophie van der Linden (from Delft) in the Sint-Hippolytuskapel. They each keep their own name, but Juan arranges an apostille for Spanish authorities. This illustrates the cross-border aspects of name usage in marriage.
Or if regret arises: After five years of marriage, a partner in Delft wants to change their name. This starts at the Legal Aid Office in Delft for guidance, followed by an application to the District Court of The Hague.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.