hss.gov.nt.ca How To Apply For Changing your Name Canada : Department of Health and Social Services

Name of the Organization : Department of Health and Social Services Government of the Northwest Territories
Type of Facility : How To Apply For Changing your Name
State : Northwest Territories
Country : Canada
Website : http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/vital-statistics/changing-your-name

HSS Changing your Name

** Changing your name is an important decision.
** Your name is your identity.

Related / Similar Status:

HSS NWT Health Care Application

Department of Health and Social Services Apply for Birth & Death Registration Canada

** Therefore, to protect you from identity fraud, changes to your name must be recorded accurately and securely.
** In most instances a legal change of name will change your birth record.

If you want to Use Your Spouse’S Last Name : (married or common-law)
** You do not need to apply for a legal change of name.
** For more information on how to change your name with various agencies if you are legally married or in a common-law relationship, click on this link.

Eligibility

You can apply for a legal change of name if you are :
** at least 19 years old;
** a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or otherwise legally entitled to remain or live in Canada; and
** a resident of the Northwest Territories and have lived in the Northwest Territories for at least three months in a row within the one year period before application date.

You may also be eligible if you meet the above requirements, but :
** are less than 19 years old; and
** are a spouse, or have been a spouse; or
** have lawful custody of a child.
** Contact Vital Statistics for more information.

Note :
** Applications must be accompanied with the required fee in the form of a cheque or money order payable to the Government of the Northwest Territories.
** Payment may also be made by credit card.
** The fee includes one change of name certificate.

Fees

How To Apply

How To Apply For A Legal Change Of Name :
Am I ready to submit a Change of Name Application?
** To ensure your application is successful, please see the information on eligibility and fees.
** To apply, you must complete the change of name application package.

Application Requirements :
** An applicant must complete the form. This could be the person changing his/her own name OR a parent applying to change his/her child’s name OR both.
** Must include original birth certificates for each person born in Canada and changing a name legally.
** These birth certificates will not be returned.
** If born outside Canada, provide certified copies of immigration papers, permanent resident card or citizenship card.
** All fees must be included with the application.

Consent of Parent or Legal Guardian and Child :
** Any person who has lawful custody or access to a child must complete a consent form for a child’s change of name.
** The child’s written consent is required if the child is 12 years of age or older.
** If the child’s last name is changes to that of the spouse, the spouse’s consent is also required.

Note :
** An applicant may be required to provide documentation to show that he/she has legal custody of the child(ren).

Who is notified about my change of name?
** Most changes of name will be published in the Northwest Territories Gazette.
** Information that will be shared in the notice is the person’s full former and present names, the person’s date of birth, the name of the community in which the person resides and the effective date of the change.

The following agencies will be notified :
** Clerk of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories
** Royal Canadian Mounted Police
** Maintenance Enforcement Administrator
** NWT Healthcare Registration unit, Health Services Administration
** Vital Statistics Office of the province of birth, if not NWT

Frequently Asked Questions

I just got married, do I need to apply for a legal change of name?
You do not need to apply for a legal change of name. Use your marriage certificate to change your name. You can use your spouse’s last name, or a hyphenation or combination of your last names on marriage.

I have a common-law spouse and would like to take on my spouse’s last name. Do I need to apply for a legal name change?
If you have been living together for a period of two years OR have a child together and are living in a relationship of some permanence, you may use your common-law spouse’s last name by signing a statutory declaration saying you are living together and you want to use your spouse’s name.

I just got divorced, and I want to go back to using my last name before my marriage. Do I need to apply for a legal name change?
No. Use your divorce certificate as proof that you are divorced and want to go back to the name you had before your marriage.

My common law relationship is over and I want to go back to using my old name. What do I need to do?
Fill out the breakdown of spousal relationship statutory declaration if your common law relationship has ended, you want to use the last name that you had before your common law relationship.

I have separated from my spouse, and want to go back to using my old name before marriage. What do I need to do?
Fill out the breakdown of spousal relationship statutory declaration if you are separated, and you want to use the last name that you had before your marriage.