Order a change of name certificate

Overview

All certificates are certified extracts of the original legal change of name registration.

Altering and/or laminating Vital Statistics documents makes them invalid.

Types of documents issued

There is only one kind of change of name document you can order:

• Legal Change of Name Certificate

Legal Change of Name Certificate

This legal change of name certificate includes:

• full name of the person before the legal change of name was processed
• full name of the person after the legal change of name was processed
• registration number
• registration date
• date issued

Sample: Legal Change of Name Certificate  (PDF, 165 KB)

Eligibility

The following eligibility requirements apply to legal change of name certificates:

Applicants for legal change of name certificates

The following can order a legal change of name certificate:

1. the person (whose name was changed) when 12 years old or older
2. the person (whose name was changed) when younger than 12 years old with the consent of their parent or guardian
   • complete the Consent for Minor Younger than 12 to Apply for Own Birth Certificate or Legal Change of Name Certificate (PDF, 150 KB) as part of your application
   • ensure the consent form is signed by a parent or guardian
   • the consent form (with an original signature) must be attached to the application form
   • if the consent is provided by a guardian, a copy of the guardianship order is required
3. the parent of the person in (2) as established by a Registration of Birth document or parentage order
   • the applicant must be named in the parentage order, when applicable
   • a copy of the parentage order must be attached to the application, when applicable
4. a guardian or trustee for a person in (1)/(2) or (3)
   • the applicant must be named in the guardianship order or trusteeship document
   • a copy of the legal document must be attached to the application
5. a person with a power of attorney for the person in (1)/(2) or (3)
   • the applicant must be named in the power of attorney document
   • a copy of the legal document must be attached to the application
6. A person with an order from the court that states the person is eligible
   • the order must be issued by a court in Alberta
   • the applicant must be authorized to make the application in the court order
   • the court order must have been issued within 1 year of the application
   • a copy of the order must be attached to the application
7. a lawyer for a person in (1) to (6), (8), (9)
   • a copy of a valid Law Society card must be attached to the application

Applying for a change of name certificate for a deceased person

8. the executor, personal representative or administrator for the estate of the deceased person in (1) or (3)
   • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
   • the applicant must be named in the will (or similar document)
   • a copy of the will (or similar document) must be attached to the application
9. the Public Trustee for the estate of the deceased person in (1) or (3)
   • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
   • the applicant must be named in the Public Trustee documents
   • a copy of the Public Trustee documents must be attached to the application

When an eligible applicant does not have acceptable id to make the application, a designated agent may be used by a person in (1) to (4).

Next-of-kin

Next-of-kin includes:

• parent
• sibling
• children
• spouse
• adult interdependent partner

Next-of-kin does not include:

• in-laws
• grandparents
• grandchildren
• step relatives
• children of the siblings

Persons who have adopted or who have placed their child for adoption are not “next-of-kin” to biological relations.

Cost

There is a $20 government fee for each change of name certificate ordered.

Registry agents and Registry Connect have additional service fees. Service fees vary among registry agents.

How to apply

Ordering a legal change of name certificate from within Alberta

Step 1. Complete the application form

Application for Legal Change of Name Certificate (PDF, 344 KB)

Applications are also available at registry agent offices.

Step 2. Drop off the application from

Take the completed application and your acceptable ID to a registry agent office.

Ordering a legal change of name certificate from outside Alberta

Step 1. Complete the application form

Registry Connect Application for Certificate / Documents (PDF, 694 KB)

Do not complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity portion of the form at this time.

Step 2. Go to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths

Take the completed application and your acceptable ID to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity portion of the form with the Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Step 3. Mail the application form

Mail the original completed application and Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity to Registry Connect at:

Registry Connect
Suite 207, 236 91 Street SW
Edmonton, Alberta T6X 1W8

Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.

After you apply

Certificates are usually mailed to you by regular mail 2 to 3 days after a registry agent or Registry Connect accepts your application.

If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, your application may be delayed.

For special arrangements or rush service options, speak with the registry agent or Registry Connect.

Contact

To connect with Vital Statistics:

Hours: 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
TTY: 780-427-9999
Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215 (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-4225

Email: vsregistries@gov.ab.ca

Mail:
Vital Statistics
Box 2023
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W7

Courier:
Vital Statistics
Document Reception
John E. Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W7