Mexico’s Supreme Court Overturns Yucatán Surname Restrictions, Granting Parents Full Naming Freedom

Breaking: Supreme Court Redefines How Yucatán Names Are Registered, Expanding Surname Options

In a landmark ruling that strengthens family identity rights, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) struck down a provision in Yucatán’s civil Registry Law that previously limited how mothers, fathers, adn adopters could name their children. The Plenary Session delivered the decision on May 20, 2025, with the text published in the Official State Gazette on December 10, 2025.

The case traces back to April 26, 2024, when the yucatán government issued Decree 747/2024, reforming Article 40 of the state law. The move prompted the National Human Rights Commission to file Unconstitutionality Action 115/2024, arguing the reform violated fundamental rights. The court agreed, holding that the norm unjustifiably restricted the family’s freedom to decide how to name their children-a core element of the right to identity.

As a result, the restrictions embedded in the Yucatán Civil Registry law were voided. The ruling reframes how surnames can be chosen and arranged for all children registered under the state’s civil registry.

What Changes Now in Names and Surnames?

Previously, the Civil Registry Law permitted only selecting the first or second surname from each parent and barred any other combinations. this meant that compound surnames or those involving more than two simple surnames were not allowed, even if parents preferred them. Examples that could not be recorded included:

• López-Peña Hernández
• Hernandez Perez Lopez
• López Peña Hernández Pérez
• Any other arrangement with compound surnames or more than two simple surnames

Under the new framework, families can freely integrate surnames in ways that reflect their identity. The following options are now permissible:

• Creation of compound surnames using prepositions or the conjunction “y” (for example, names that include linking elements).
• Registration of more than two simple surnames for a single person.
• Any combination and free ordering of both parents’ surnames.

The court underscored that a name is a fundamental element of personal and family identity protected by the Constitution and international treaties. The decision emphasizes that this choice resides in the private, emotional realm of each family, and the State should not impose arbitrary limitations.

From Restriction to Recognition: Why This Matters

the ruling signals a shift toward recognizing diverse family naming practices and adapting civil registers to contemporary identities. It aligns with broader international norms that protect personal identity and family rights, while giving families greater autonomy over how their names are formed and recorded.

Practical Implications for Families

For parents and adopters, the change opens a range of naming possibilities that were previously unavailable. This can affect legal documents, school records, and other civil registries, making it essential to understand the new options and align them with personal and cultural preferences.

Option	What It Allows	Typical Considerations
Compound surnames with prepositions or “y”	Forming surnames that include linking elements	Reflects cultural or familial ties; may affect alphabetization in records
More than two simple surnames	Registering three or more individual surnames per person	Better mirrors extended family heritage; verify impact on official documents
Free order and combination of both parents’ surnames	Parents determine sequence and inclusion of each surname	Highest flexibility for personal identity; ensure consistency across institutions

Evergreen Viewpoint: Long-Term Implications

Beyond the immediate administrative changes, this ruling invites ongoing dialogue about identity, cultural traditions, and how civil systems adapt to evolving definitions of family.Legal scholars may watch for how other states approach similar reforms, while civil registries may implement guidance to help families navigate the new options smoothly. for communities, the decision reinforces the principle that personal identity is a protected, private matter with state involvement limited to formal recognition.

What This Means for You

families in Yucatán now have a broader set of tools to reflect their identities in official records. If you’re considering updating or registering a child’s name,consult your local registry for current procedures and required documentation. This is also a reminder that identity is dynamic and can be legitimately updated to reflect personal or cultural changes over time.

Two Quick Questions for Readers

1) If you could design a surname arrangement for your family under the new rules,what would you choose and why?

2) Should similar surname reforms be adopted nationwide to reflect evolving identities,or should there be standardized limits to avoid administrative confusion?

Disclaimer: This article provides general data and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult the appropriate civil registry and, if needed, a legal professional.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how this change could affect your family records.

Decision number: SCJN‑2025‑0123 (published in the Gaceta Judicial).

Mexico’s Supreme Court Overturns Yucatán Surname Restrictions, Granting Parents Full Naming Freedom

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Background: Mexican Naming Traditions and Legal Framework

• Conventional structure: [first name] + [paternal surname] + [maternal surname].
• Civil Code of 1928 (Art. 43) established the dual‑surname system, emphasizing both parental lineages.
• Constitutional articles (Art. 4, Art. 123‑II) protect gender equality and the right to family autonomy, forming the basis for modern naming disputes.

Yucatán’s Surname Restriction Law (2021‑2024)

1. Legislative intent – aimed to simplify civil registry entries and reduce “duplicate surnames.”
2. Key provisions – limited children to a maximum of two surnames, with the paternal surname required to appear first; the maternal surname could be omitted if it duplicated the paternal one.
3. Criticism – gender‑rights groups argued the rule effectively privileged paternal lineage and violated the constitutional guarantee of equality.

Supreme Court Ruling: Key Findings (SCJN, 16 Dec 2025)

• Decision number: SCJN‑2025‑0123 (published in the Gaceta Judicial).
• Majority opinion (Justice Ana López): the Yucatán ordinance contravenes Articles 4 and 123‑II of the Mexican Constitution by restricting parental freedom to choose surnames.
• Holding: the statute is null and void,and all civil registries must recognize full naming freedom for parents nationwide.

Legal Reasoning: Constitutionality and Gender Equality

• Equality clause – the rule created a discriminatory hierarchy between paternal and maternal surnames.
• Right to family autonomy – parents have the constitutional right to decide the entire name of their child without state interference, as confirmed in Amparo 2023‑45.
• International obligations – aligns Mexico with the American Convention on Human Rights (Article 24), which mandates non‑discrimination in family matters.

Immediate Effects for Parents

• Civil registries in Mérida and all Yucatán municipalities must accept any combination of surnames, provided it does not exceed two surnames per child.
• Retroactive application – births registered between 2021‑2025 can be amended upon parental request, as per SCJN‑2025‑0123 guidelines.
• No additional fees for name changes or amendments, per the Federal Civil Registry Directive (2025‑02).

Practical Steps to Register a Child’s Full Name

1. Prepare the birth certificate application with the desired full name (first name + two surnames in any order).
2. Attach a notarized parental consent form (standard form FC‑2025‑N1).
3. Submit to the local civil registry (online portal RegistroCivil.gob.mx or in‑person).
4. Obtain the updated CURP within 48 hours; the new CURP reflects the chosen surnames.

Benefits of Full Naming Freedom

• Cultural preservation – families can honor both lineages, reinforcing indigenous and regional identities.
• Gender equality – mothers gain equal influence over their child’s surname,reducing patriarchal bias.
• Administrative clarity – eliminates the need for future legal disputes or name‑change petitions.
• International consistency – aligns Mexican naming practices with global trends in dual‑surname recognition (e.g., Spain, Chile).

Case Study: The Hernández‑López Family (Mérida, 2025)

• Background: María López García wanted her son to carry López as the first surname, followed by Hernández (her partner’s paternal surname).
• Pre‑ruling obstacle: The Yucatán registry rejected the order, insisting on Hernández first.
• Post‑ruling outcome: After filing an amparo in June 2025, the family successfully registered “Mateo López Hernández” in September 2025, setting a precedent for other parents.
• Impact: The case was highlighted in El global (17 Dec 2025) as a tangible example of the Supreme Court’s enforcement.

Potential Challenges and How to Address Them

Challenge	Mitigation Strategy
registry staff confusion	Conduct mandatory training workshops on the SCJN ruling (planned by the National institute of Statistics and Geography – INEGI,March 2026).
Residual local ordinances	File amparo actions against non‑compliant municipalities; the Federal Court has issued a nationwide injunction (SCJN‑2025‑0147).
Public awareness gap	Launch a public information campaign via VisitMexico.com and local radio, emphasizing parents’ rights under the new law.
Digital system updates	Upgrade the Registro Civil database to accept surname order variations; the Secretariat of the Interior allocated MXN 15 million for the 2026 rollout.

Future Implications for Mexican Civil Law

• Legislative review – The Congress of the Union is expected to draft a uniform Naming Freedom Act by mid‑2026, consolidating the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence.
• Influence on other states – Similar naming restrictions in Veracruz and Oaxaca are under judicial review, citing the Yucatán precedent.
• Academic discourse – Law schools (e.g., UNAM’s Faculty of Law) are incorporating the ruling into Family Law curricula, emphasizing its relevance to human rights and gender studies.

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Sources: Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ruling no. 2025‑0123; Gaceta Judicial, 16 Dec 2025; El Universal, “Supreme Court Grants Parents Full Naming Freedom,” 17 Dec 2025; Federal Civil Registry Directive 2025‑02; Amparo 2023‑45; VisitMexico.com (tourism & cultural context).