The Chamber of Deputies adopted, on Wednesday, as the decision-making body, a bill that changes the rules regarding names after divorce. More specifically, former spouses will be able to keep the name acquired during marriage without the need for the other partner’s agreement.
The project, initiated by USR deputies and supported by PNL, is now going for promulgation to President Nicușor Dan.
### Disappearance of the obligation for agreement and the court route
The amendment to the Civil Code eliminates a condition that, until now, frequently created obstacles.
Currently, if one of the former partners wants to keep the name acquired through marriage, they need the consent of the other. In the absence of this, they must go to court and prove that there are valid reasons.
The new law eliminates this step.
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### Less bureaucracy, more personal control
USR Deputy Pollyanna Hangan says that the change has direct effects on daily life.
„It is a simple change, but with a real effect: people can organize their professional and personal life without unnecessary complications, maintaining control over their own identity. Each person can exercise this right freely and dignifiedly,” she said.
In turn, Deputy Iulian Lorincz spoke about the difficult situations that especially mothers face.
„Identity cannot depend on the goodwill or, on the contrary, the emotional blackmail of the former partner. Thousands of Romanian women are currently facing a paradox: if they want to have the same name as their children, they need the agreement of the one they just divorced. The mother has to prove, at school or at the hospital, that she is the mother of her own children. This is more than bureaucracy, it is humiliation. And this is what we corrected with today’s vote,” he said.
The new rule also means fewer trips and costs.
Former wives (but not only) will no longer be obliged to change all their documents – identity card, passport, driver’s license, or electronic signatures.
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### Divorce becomes simpler, even at the notary
The elimination of the agreement on the name allows for easier use of divorce procedures in front of the civil status officer or notary.
Until now, these options were only possible if the former spouses agreed even on the name after divorce.
### Impact also for Romanians in the Diaspora
The amendment also solves a common problem for Romanians abroad.
Currently, even if the divorce is legally pronounced in another country, Romanian authorities can request the former spouse’s agreement for the recognition of the name. The new law eliminates this obstacle.
The law only needs to be promulgated by the president to come into force.