Estonia proposes lifetime name-change ban for serious offenders

Estonia’s Interior Ministry has submitted a draft Personal Names Act to the government for approval that would permanently prevent people convicted of particularly serious crimes from obtaining a new name, ERR reports.

The restriction would apply in all circumstances, including changing a surname when getting married or divorced. The proposed act would replace the Names Act, which has been in force for more than 20 years.

The draft would permanently deny the right to carry out any name-related procedure to people convicted of crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, war crimes, terrorism, crimes against the state, organising mass disorder, and serious crimes involving explosives or explosive materials.

Interior Minister Igor Taro of Eesti 200 said the changes were intended to meet society’s expectations, improve security and maintain trust.

“We cannot allow a situation in which people convicted of terrorist, war or crimes against the state, or serious crimes against individuals, could use a new name to hide their past or avoid being associated with their previous acts,” Taro said.

The draft would also retain a restriction on name changes by people convicted of sexual offences against minors. The restriction was recently added to the current Names Act following a proposal by Parliament, and the new draft would introduce a lifetime ban on name-related procedures for such offenders.

The legislation would further clarify the rules for granting a new surname at a person’s request. People would no longer be able to freely choose a surname already held by a living person listed in the population register. The ministry said this would help prevent the appearance of false family or kinship ties and reduce the risk of identity theft.

At the same time, the proposed rules would allow the creation of new Estonian-style surnames to support the development of Estonia’s naming traditions.

The draft would also narrow the possibilities for changing a minor’s surname. In future, a minor could be given only a surname used by one of their parents. The ministry said this would protect the child’s interests, ensure continuity of identity and preserve a clear connection with the family.

The new act is expected to enter into force in 2028.