Application For Change Of Name

Application For Change Of Name
Important Instructions
Application forms available at our office.

1. AGE AND RESIDENCY

Applicant must be:

•	18 years of age or older
•	be a bonafide resident (resident in good faith) of Alberta and remain a resident throughout the application process.

2. PUBLICATION

The applicant is no longer required to publicly advertise an intention to change a last name. Vital Statistics is legally required to publish, in the Alberta Gazelle, all name changes.

There are certain circumstances where an applicant may apply to the Director of Vital Statistics or the Court of Queen’s Bench for a Court Order to avoid publication of the change of name.

3. CHANGING YOUR CHILD’S NAME

An applicant who is a parent of unmarried minor child(ren) may apply to change the name of the child(ren) if they:

•	are married to the other parent and have that parent’s consent,
•	are divorced from the other parent, have lawful custody of the child(ren) and have consent of the other parent,
•	have had their marriage from the other parent annulled by a Court of Law, have lawful custody of the child(ren) and have consent of the other parent, have never been married to the other parent and have lawful custody of the child(ren). Consent of the other parent is required where joint custody has been granted through a Court,
•	have consent of the spouse/common-law spouse when a child’s name is being changed to the last name of the spouse/common-law spouse (where allowed),
•	have consent of a child who is 12 years of age or older.

If the required consents are not available, the applicant may apply to the Court of Queen’s Bench for an Order giving waiver of consent.

4. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS / REQUIREMENTS

An applicant must complete all applicable sections of the form, Application For Change Of Name, and provide the following:

•	birth certificate for applicant and each person whose name is to be changed, if born in Canada. If born outside of Canada, a copy of birth certificate, immigration documents, valid passport, or a Canadian citizenship certificate are required. (Copies of citizenship certificates must include information from both sides of the document).
•	marriage certificate (where applicable),
•	death certificate (where applicable),
•	certificate of divorce or decree absolute (where applicable),
•	proof of custody, court order, guardianship order or Minutes of Settlement, Divorce Judgment Decree Nisi (as applicable),
•	birth certificate for spouse or common-law spouse if born in Canada (where applicable). If born outside of Canada, a copy of birth certificate, immigration documents, valid passport, or a Canadian citizenship certificate are required. (Copies of citizenship certificates must include in formation from both sides of the document).

Supporting documents in a foreign language will require an official english translation.

5. DECLARATION

The application includes a statutory declaration which must be signed by the applicant before a Commissioner for Oaths in and for the Province of Alberta or a Notary Public. All areas of the application which require consent must be witnessed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

•	A legal change of name will be made on the current Registration of Birth and Marriage if these events occurred in Canada, (some exceptions apply).
•	A legal change of name may not be required when a woman is changing back to her maiden name or a previous last name.
•	The Change of Name Act does not require a legal change of name for a person who is getting married and assuming the last name of the spouse.
•	A legal change of a last name will not automatically change the last name of the applicant’s spouse and/or minor child(ren). If a change is needed, it must be included in the application.
•	A change of the last name of a person who has assumed their spouse’s last name, will not automatically affect the last name they had prior to marriage. If the applicant intends to change a last name they had prior to marriage, it must be indicated in the application.
•	A person cannot change their own last name to the last name of a common-law spouse.
•	An applicant may apply to change their spouse’s name with the consent of the spouse.
•	A parent who has legal custody of a child born out of wedlock, and is living in a common-law relationship with a person of the opposite sex, may apply to change the child’s last name to the common-law spouse’s last name with the consent of the common-law spouse.
•	A mother who has legal custody of a child born out of wedlock and who is not living in a common-law relationship with the natural father of the child, may apply to change the child’s last name to the natural father’s last name if:

•	the natural father has been declared by a court to be the father of the child, OR
•	the natural father has acknowledged that he is the father of the child.

•	Changing a child’s last name, who was born in Alberta, to include the natural father’s last name, may or may not require a change of name. Please contact Alberta Registries, Vital Statistics to determine eligibility.
•	Once a legal change of name has been registered, any birth or marriage certificate issued in the previous name should not be used as identification, unless used along with the legal change of name certificate.
•	In order to change identification and other documentation (e.g. credit cards, driver’s licence, etc.), contact the individual offices where the records are held.

When the change of name process is complete and the Change Of Name Certificate has been received, new birth or marriage certificates may be applied for by following the instructions below:

•	If a person whose name was changed, was born or married in Alberta, new certificates can be applied for through any authorized Alberta Registry agent. ror a listing of Registry Agents call (780) 422-7330. Areas outside of Edmonton call 310-0000 and ask for 422-7330.
•	If a person whose name was changed, was born or married in another province, state or country, they must apply to that jurisdiction for new certificates. When applying, a photocopy of the change of name certificate must be enclosed.