Name Usage in Marriage in Tilburg
In Tilburg, when getting married, you can choose how to use your surname. By default, you keep your own name, but options like adopting your partner's surname, a double name, or other combinations are possible. Family law provides this flexibility to maintain or merge your personal identity. This article discusses the rules, choices, and tips for name usage in marriage specifically for residents of Tilburg, including local procedures at the Municipality of Tilburg.
What Does Name Usage in Marriage Mean?
Name usage in marriage refers to how partners handle their surnames after getting married in the Netherlands. The principle of individual naming applies: you automatically retain your own surname unless you decide otherwise. This differs from older traditions in some places, where one partner often takes the other's name. The law offers freedom based on your preferences, culture, or practical considerations. In Tilburg, you arrange this during the marriage ceremony at the Municipality of Tilburg, and any changes afterward go through the civil registry. This builds on our overview of name change after marriage, with a focus on choices during the ceremony in the region.
Legal Rules for Tilburg
The foundation for name usage in marriage is found in Book 1 of the Civil Code (BW), particularly the articles on family names. Article 1:9 BW states that married individuals keep their own surname, except by mutual choice. For Tilburg residents, these are the key points:
- Article 1:10 BW: You can choose your partner's surname as your family name.
- Article 1:11 BW: A double name is possible by combining surnames (for example, Jansen-Van Dijk).
- Article 1:12 BW: For children, the parents' name applies, but at birth registration in Tilburg, you can decide yourself.
These rules, introduced by the Act on Individualization of Family Names in 1998, promote equality and prevent gender discrimination. In international marriages in Tilburg, the Hague Convention on Names (1980) plays a role. If you marry abroad, register the name change with the Municipality of Tilburg. For advice, contact the Legal Aid Office in Tilburg.
Choices for Name Usage in Tilburg
During your marriage in Tilburg, you declare your preference to the civil registrar. The options are flexible and can differ for each partner. Overview:
| Option | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Retain own surname | You keep your original name; no change is needed. | Anna de Vries from Tilburg remains Anna de Vries after marrying Tom Jansen. |
| Adopt partner's surname | You fully take on your partner's name. | Anna de Vries becomes Anna Jansen. |
| Double surname | Combine both names, with or without a hyphen. | Anna and Tom both become De Vries-Jansen. |
| Add to own name | Your partner's name is appended to yours. | Tom Jansen becomes Tom Jansen-de Vries. |
Shared choices, like a double name, require agreement from both partners. Registered partnerships in Tilburg follow the same rules (Article 1:80a BW). Want to change after marriage? That requires a procedure at the District Court of Zeeland-West-Brabant in Breda (see name change procedure).
Rights and Obligations in Name Usage
In Tilburg, you have the right to choose your name freely, as long as it's not fraudulent. Obligations include: notifying the Municipality of Tilburg of your choice and updating documents like your passport and driver's license. A double name means extra administration with local authorities.
- Privacy right: Your choice remains private, except in the marriage certificate.
- Obligation of consistency: Use the name consistently everywhere, from banking to work in Tilburg.
- Right to correction: If there's an error in registration, request a fix from the Municipality of Tilburg.
For children born after marriage, you choose from the parents' names at registration in Tilburg (Article 1:5 BW), for family continuity.
Practical Examples from Tilburg
Take Lisa Bakker and Mark Smit from Tilburg: Lisa keeps her name for her job at a local company, while they choose a double name, Bakker-Smit, for future children. After the ceremony, Lisa renews her passport at the Municipality of Tilburg for €10 and a few weeks' wait time.
In an international case, Juan Garcia (Spanish) marries Sophie van der Linden in Tilburg. They keep their own names, but Juan arranges an apostille for Spain. This illustrates the cross-border aspects of name usage in marriage.
Or if a partner regrets their choice after five years of marriage: You can apply for a change through the Legal Aid Office in Tilburg for guidance to the District Court of Zeeland-West-Brabant in Breda, which involves time and costs.
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.