Polski
УкраїнськаHow much does it cost to change your surname after divorce? Fees and documents 2026
indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index
Reverting to your pre-marriage surname after divorce costs just PLN 11 if you submit a declaration at a civil registry office within 3 months of the judgment becoming final. After this deadline, the only option is an administrative surname change, subject to a stamp duty of PLN 37. You pay separately for new documents, for example PLN 100 for a driving licence.
At a glance (as at 5 October 2026)
- Reverting to your pre-marriage surname within 3 months of divorce costs PLN 11 in stamp duty.
- An administrative surname change costs PLN 37 in stamp duty, the same throughout Poland.
- A new driving licence after changing your surname costs PLN 100, while a new identity card is free.
- Using a representative in a surname change case incurs an additional stamp duty of PLN 17 for the power of attorney.
- The office charges PLN 10 for a decision refusing a surname change.
Changing your surname after divorce is inexpensive, but only if you meet the deadline. Replacing your documents, such as your driving licence, vehicle registration certificate and passport, can cost more than the official fee itself, and it also involves time spent at public offices. Below, we list all the fees in one place, explain how long each procedure takes and provide a list of institutions you need to notify. The amounts are official rates confirmed in public information bulletins published by public offices.
How much does it cost to change your surname after divorce?
Changing your surname after divorce costs PLN 11 if, within 3 months of the judgment becoming final, you submit a declaration that you wish to revert to the surname you used before marriage. You submit the declaration before the head of a civil registry office and do not need to provide justification.
After 3 months, this simple option is no longer available. The remaining route is an administrative surname change, which is subject to a stamp duty of PLN 37, and the office assesses whether you have a valid reason. The divorce itself is a much greater expense: with a lawyer and without assigning blame, it usually costs PLN 2,350 ‑ 5,500. Read more in our article on how much a divorce costs.
| Situation | Stamp duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reverting to your pre-marriage surname (within 3 months of divorce) | PLN 11 | declaration at a civil registry office |
| Administrative surname change | PLN 37 | for an approval decision |
| Refusal decision | PLN 10 | if the office does not accept the reason |
| Power of attorney submitted to the office | PLN 17 | only when a representative acts on your behalf |
The fee is the same throughout Poland and is set by the Stamp Duty Act. The same rate appears in 6 public information bulletins published by the offices we checked. Details are available at changing a surname.
What reasons allow you to change your surname?
A surname may be changed through the administrative procedure for valid reasons. The act lists four examples: a surname that is ridiculing or incompatible with human dignity, changing to a surname you actually use, reverting to a surname that was changed, and changing a foreign surname. This is not an exhaustive list, so the office also considers other justified cases.
The most common reasons given in applications are:
- Reverting to your birth surname after the 3-month deadline following divorce.
- Having the same surname as your children or new partner.
- A surname used professionally by which you are known.
- A surname that is difficult to pronounce or evokes unwanted associations.
Include supporting evidence with your application, such as employment documents, publications or correspondence showing that the new surname is actually in use. The stronger the justification, the lower the risk of refusal.
How long does a surname change take?
An administrative surname change usually takes up to a month, or up to two months in cases requiring further clarification, as these are the deadlines set for public offices by the Code of Administrative Procedure. Reverting to your previous surname after divorce by submitting a declaration at a civil registry office is usually completed immediately.
You should also allow time to replace your documents. The office usually issues a new identity card within a few weeks, and a driving licence takes a similar amount of time. In practice, the entire process, from submitting the application to receiving all your new documents, takes between one and three months.
During this period, your old documents will usually still be sufficient for everyday matters, but when travelling abroad or signing contracts, the details on your identity card, passport and ticket must match. If you are planning a trip, allow plenty of time for the surname change or buy the ticket using the surname in your current passport.
How much does it cost to change your surname after marriage?
Changing your surname after marriage does not require a separate fee: you choose your surname in a declaration made when entering into the marriage, and its cost is included in the fee for drawing up the marriage certificate. You only pay to replace documents that carry a fee, just as after divorce.
If the marriage took place abroad, the marriage certificate must be entered into the Polish civil status register through transcription, and the foreign document often requires a sworn translation. This adds the cost of translation.
Where do you need to update your details after changing your surname?
After changing your surname, you need to replace your identity card, driving licence and vehicle registration certificate, as well as notify your bank, employer and other institutions. The civil registry office’s decision does not update your documents automatically. Here is a list of the costs:
| Document or institution | Cost | Deadline and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Identity card | free | photographer’s fee of about PLN 50 |
| Driving licence | PLN 100 | replacement at the vehicle registration and driving licence department |
| Vehicle registration certificate | PLN 72 | notify the office of the owner’s changed details within 30 days |
| Adult passport | PLN 140 | new passport with the current surname |
| Copy of a birth or marriage certificate | about PLN 28 | when an institution requires a copy |
| Bank, employer, insurer, mobile network operator | usually free | in person or through an app |
You can get an identity card photo more cheaply from a photo booth, for about PLN 24. Read more in our article on identity card photo prices. The cost of a new driving licence includes the registration fee, but excludes the photo and any postal delivery charge. Details are available at replacement of a driving licence. You only need to replace a vehicle registration certificate if you own a car: see replacement of a vehicle registration certificate.
Below are the same fees, with typical ranges and the number of sources used to calculate them:
| Service | Median | Typically | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing a surname | PLN 37 | PLN 37 | 6 |
| Replacement of a driving licence | PLN 100 | PLN 100 ‑ 100.50 | 4 |
| Replacement of a vehicle registration certificate | PLN 72 | PLN 63 ‑ 81 | 2 |
| Identity card photograph | PLN 50 | PLN 45 ‑ 52 | 3 |
| Copy of a birth certificate | PLN 28 | PLN 23 ‑ 28 | 6 |
Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.
The order matters. Start with your identity card, as all other public offices and banks will ask for it. Next, replace your driving licence and vehicle registration certificate, then notify private institutions.
How much does it cost to change a child’s surname?
An administrative change of a child’s surname costs PLN 37, the same as for an adult, but requires the consent of both parents. If the child is aged 13 or over, their consent is also required.
If the parents disagree, for example about changing the child’s surname to the mother’s surname after divorce, the family court decides the matter. This is a separate proceeding with its own costs, and its course depends on the family’s circumstances, so it is worth consulting a lawyer. We have compiled consultation prices in our article on how much legal advice from a lawyer costs.
What is the cheapest way to change your surname?
- Keep to the 3-month deadline from the date the divorce judgment becomes final. A declaration at a civil registry office costs PLN 11 instead of PLN 37 and does not require justification.
- Handle matters in person if you can. Using a representative incurs an additional stamp duty of PLN 17, while a notarised power of attorney costs more (PLN 65).
- Submit applications electronically through gov.pl where possible to save time and travel costs.
- Have one photo taken for all your documents, ordering several prints at once.
- Collect documents in person to avoid paying for postal delivery of your driving licence.
We have compiled all official fees and legal services in the law and public offices category.
„Opłata skarbowa za wydanie decyzji pozytywnej w sprawie zmiany imienia lub nazwiska - 37,00 zł.”
bip.szczecinek.pl, source
„Zmiana nazwiska kosztuje 37 zł. Jeśli działa pełnomocnik, opłata za pełnomocnictwo wynosi dodatkowo 17 zł.”
radcaprawny.media, 2025-12, source
„Opłata skarbowa za wydanie decyzji o zmianie imienia lub nazwiska: 37 PLN.”
www.bipraciborz.pl, source
„opłata skarbowa za wydanie decyzji o zmianie imienia lub nazwiska - 37 zł.”
www.bip.swiebodzice.pl, source
The amounts in this article come from public information bulletins published by public offices and from public price lists. Each amount is accompanied on the service page by its source, date and a verbatim quotation, and we update the rates together with the index (as at 5 October 2026). This article is not a substitute for legal advice on a specific case.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to do to change your surname?
Wniosek o zmianę nazwiska składa się u kierownika dowolnego urzędu stanu cywilnego, osobiście albo elektronicznie, i dołącza uzasadnienie. Po decyzji pozytywnej płacisz PLN 37 opłaty skarbowej.
Do you need to notify the NFZ of a surname change?
Nowe nazwisko trafia do rejestru PESEL automatycznie, a z niego korzystają NFZ i inne urzędy. Osoby zatrudnione aktualizują dane przez pracodawcę, który zgłasza zmianę do ZUS; przedsiębiorcy robią to sami przez wniosek w CEIDG.
How much does it cost to change a child's surname?
Zmiana nazwiska dziecka w trybie administracyjnym kosztuje tak samo jak dorosłego: PLN 37 opłaty skarbowej. Potrzebna jest zgoda obojga rodziców, a przy dziecku powyżej 13 lat także jego zgoda; spory rozstrzyga sąd, więc warto zapytać prawnika.
How much does it cost to change a surname in the land and mortgage register?
Tej opłaty nie mamy jeszcze w indeksie. Wniosek o wpis zmiany danych właściciela składa się do sądu prowadzącego księgę; wysokość opłaty potwierdź w sądzie lub u notariusza.
Is there a fee for changing a surname on an airline ticket?
To zależy od przewoźnika: tanie linie zwykle pobierają opłatę za zmianę nazwiska na bilecie, a niektóre pozwalają bezpłatnie poprawić literówkę. Cen linii lotniczych nie zbieramy, więc sprawdź regulamin przewoźnika przed wylotem.
Check prices with sources
Every amount quoted in the article has a source, date and verbatim quote from the price list on the service page.
Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.
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