Legislative provisions

On June 8, 2023, four measures resulting from the adoption, in June 2022, of the Act to reform family law with regard to filiation and amending the Civil Code in relation to personality rights and civil status came into force.

More specifically, these measures concern the following:

1. The usual given name
   • This is the name that is used on a daily basis by a person to identify themselves and under which they exercise their civil rights.
2. Giving given names to a child
   • The number of given names that can be given to a child is limited to four, including the usual given name. For more information, see the Child's usual given name and other given names.
   
3. Substitution of the usual given name
   • This is a new service offered by the Directeur de l’état civil. For more information, see the Substitution of the usual given name by another given name on the act of birth.
   
4. The content of certificates of civil status
   • The content of certificates (birth, marriage, civil union or death) will be improved to better meet the needs of citizens. For more informaton, see the Which document to request: a certificate or a copy of an act?