Uzbekistan Allows Children to Take Father’s Name as Surname

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Children in Uzbekistan will be allowed to take a surname based on their father’s name, as well as their paternal or maternal grandfather’s name, in line with national traditions. The changes are provided for by Law No. ZRU-1164, adopted on 13 August 2026.

The amendments have been made to the Family Code. Previously, legislation did not provide for the possibility of giving a child a surname derived from the father’s name.

The new procedure will also allow a surname to be chosen based on the name of a paternal or maternal grandfather in accordance with national traditions.

The law also introduces amendments to legislation on archival affairs. In particular, it establishes procedures for creating electronic and non-state archives.

Electronic archives will be required to have the necessary hardware, software and facilities for creating electronic archival collections and documents, including equipment and software for digitization.

In addition, electronic archives must provide for the search, management and processing of archival documents, ensure that an electronic document corresponds to its original, and comply with information and cybersecurity requirements.

The law provides for the creation of non-state archives to collect, register, preserve and use documents included in the non-state part of the National Archival Fund. Such archives will also be able to store other archival documents that are not state property.

The document also clarifies the powers of the Ministry of Justice in the field of archival affairs.

Law No. ZRU-1164 enters into force on the day of its official publication.