You bear your father’s surname and want your mother’s? Your French surname does not match the one on your Senegalese birth certificate? French law offers several routes, accessible through the French consulate in Dakar.
1. The simplified procedure, once in a lifetime
Any adult whose birth certificate is held by the French civil status can choose to bear the other parent’s surname, or both surnames joined, without giving a reason (article 61-3-1 of the Civil Code). This choice can only be made once.
- The file is submitted at the consulate in a sealed envelope, Monday to Thursday from 2 pm to 3.30 pm.
- You then confirm your application in person, no earlier than one month after it was received.
- The change extends to your children under 13; above that age, their consent is required.
New since 29 July 2026: Law no. 2026-667 of 27 July 2026 requires the applicant to attach bulletin no. 3 of the criminal record and a document on registration in the judicial files (FIJAIT and FIJAIS). If you have a foreign birth certificate, you must prove that the requested surname appears on it identically (article 61-3-2).
2. Bringing your name into line with the Senegalese record
If your surname is recorded differently on your foreign certificate, you can ask to bear in France the surname acquired in the other State (article 61-3-1, paragraph 2). The file is in principle sent to the Central Civil Status Service.
3. Change of surname by decree
For a surname that is difficult to bear or to prevent a family name from dying out, a legitimate interest must be shown. The change is then authorised by decree (article 61 of the Civil Code).
For a minor child whose parentage was not established with both parents at the same time, both parents may also make a joint declaration at the consulate, before the child turns 18.
How we help
Legal Field Avocats identifies the right procedure, prepares the file in line with the new 2026 requirements and assists you if the public prosecutor objects.
Want to change your surname? Call us on +221 33 844 29 16.
Sources: French Consulate General in Dakar – Change of surname (in French); French Civil Code, articles 60 to 61-4.
See also: French civil status in West Africa, country by country · French visa refusal lawyer
LEGAL FIELD AVOCATS
14 rue Woro Fila, Fann Hock, Dakar, Senegal
Phone: +221 33 844 29 16
Email: contact@fbavocat-sn.com
Our correspondent law firm in France:
FB AVOCAT
11 rue Galin, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Phone: +33 9 85 40 18 64
Email: contact@legalfb-avocat.fr