Civil Code Article 1059-1
This English translation was last updated on 2021-01-20, but the Chinese text was amended on 2026-08-17. Later amendments may not be reflected in the translation — please refer to the Chinese text.
A child born out of wedlock shall assume mother’s surname. Paragraph two through four of the preceding Article should be applicable to a child born out of wedlock who is acknowledged by the biological father.Where a child born out of wedlock who is acknowledged by the biological father meets one of the following conditions, one of the parents or the child may petition in the interest of the child for a judicial declaration to change the child’s surname to either the father’s and mother’s surname:(1) Where one or both of parents are deceased;(2) Where one or both of parents’ lives have been uncertain for three years;(3) Where the child’s surname is not the same as the parent who performs the rights and duties of the child; or(4) One of parents has obviously not fulfilled his/her e obligation of care-giving.
中文原文 民法第1059-1條
非婚生子女從母姓。
經生父認領者，適用前條第二項至第四項之規定。
非婚生子女經生父認領，而有下列各款情形之一，法院得依父母之一方或子女之請求，為子女之利益，宣告變更子女之姓氏為父姓或母姓：
一、父母之一方或雙方死亡者。
二、父母之一方或雙方生死不明滿三年者。
三、子女之姓氏與任權利義務行使或負擔之父或母不一致者。
四、父母之一方顯有未盡保護或教養義務之情事者。
經生父認領者，適用前條第二項至第四項之規定。
非婚生子女經生父認領，而有下列各款情形之一，法院得依父母之一方或子女之請求，為子女之利益，宣告變更子女之姓氏為父姓或母姓：
一、父母之一方或雙方死亡者。
二、父母之一方或雙方生死不明滿三年者。
三、子女之姓氏與任權利義務行使或負擔之父或母不一致者。
四、父母之一方顯有未盡保護或教養義務之情事者。