Change of name

Generally, a person has two names; the first is your given name, the last, or family name, is your surname.  If you simply wish to use your new marital surname, bring your official marriage certificate and government photo ID to any Service New Brunswick service centre.

To change your registered name, you must be a resident of New Brunswick for at least three months and be 16 years or older. A parent with legal custody of a minor child may also have the child’s registered name changed.

As part of the application, you must provide a birth certificate or Canadian immigration document(s). 

All requests for child’s change of name, or of the LAST NAME of an adult must be accompanied by a long form birth certificate indicating the names of the parents as issued by the Vital Statistics Office in your province of birth. If you or your child were born in New Brunswick, and you don’t have this document, you may submit an additional fee of $45 to this office. 

You must also provide information about your background, such as: 

• your marital status 
• your present and previous addresses 
• your occupation 
• the reason you want to change your name 
• a recent and local criminal record check (original) 
• whether you have applied to have your name changed before 

If the child is 15 or younger, written consent of every parent is required. If written consent cannot be obtained for the application, proof of notification to all other parents and of their right to object to the change of name must be provided. Children between 12 and 15 must also provide written and witnessed consent to the application. Consent would need to be witnessed by a health professional or a person authorized to solemnize marriages. 

• Change of given name - $115
• Change of surname - $130
• Change of child’s surname at same time as parent’s surname - $65
• Duplicate change of name certificate - $20
• Search for a name change - $20
• Fee for an amended birth certificate - $45

Residential school survivors and their families who want to reclaim a name that was changed by the residential school system can apply to have the fees waived for reclaiming that name (legal name change including change of name certificate) and changes to records with the change of name (for example new birth certificate and if applicable, marriage certificate). The applicant will be required to return their old certificates as they will be replaced.

• Change of Name for Adults - Instruction and Application Booklet (PDF 1.4 MB)
• Change of Name for Children - Instruction and Application Booklet (PDF 1.6 MB)