STA, 20 June 2019 - Strict restrictions on the use of personal names have been relaxed after the National Assembly passed on Thursday changes to the personal name act that allow citizens to officially have more than two first and two second names. Use of initials and abbreviations in official documents will also be permitted.
According to the government, the restricted number of names proved problematic in practice above all in cases of dual citizens who had to give up some of their names for their entry in the Slovenian civil registry.
Also affected by the changes are divorcees, who will have a year as opposed to six months to change their last name following divorce.
Minors with legal capacity will be allowed to change their name as well, while this will not be possible for those found guilty of a crime and serving their suspended prison sentence on probation.