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

A “Legal Change of Name Certificate” is not the same as a “legal change of name request”.

• A “legal change of name request” is the application to change a person’s name. When a person legally changes their name, a legal change of name certificate is automatically sent to a person to show the legal change of name process is completed. For information about legally changing a person’s name, see Legal change of name request and speak with a registry agent.
• When a person has already legally changed their name and just needs another legal change of name certificate, the following application process applies.

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, 78 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 (this is in addition to the legislated ID requirement)
   • a letter from the lawyer advising who their eligible client is 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

Designated Agent

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).

Cost

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

Registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA have additional service fees that will vary.

For the cost of a historic record through the Provincial Archives, contact the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

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 Documents (PDF, 279 KB)

Step 2. Drop off the application form

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

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

Ordering a legal change of name certificate from outside Alberta

Step 1. Complete the application form

Application for Legal Change of Name Documents (PDF, 279 KB)

Step 2. Complete the statutory declaration form

Take the completed Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form (PDF, 84 KB) and your acceptable ID to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Step 3. Mail the application and statutory declaration form

Mail the original completed Application for Legal Change of Name Documents form and the original completed Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form to one of the following:

• Registry Connect
• AMA (Alberta Motor Association) - you must be a member

Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

After you apply

Applications (for a legal change of name certificate) received through a registry agent, AMA or Registry Connect (as is applicable) are sent to Vital Statistics for processing.

Note: A “Legal Change of Name Certificate” is not the same as a “legal change of name request”.

• A “legal change of name request” is the application to change a person’s name. When a person legally changes their name, a legal change of name certificate is automatically sent to a person to show the legal change of name process is completed. For information about legally changing a person’s name, see Legal change of name request and speak with a registry agent.
• When a person has already legally changed their name and just needs another legal change of name certificate, the above application process applies.

Under normal circumstances, when the legal change of name request has already been processed and this application for a legal change of name certificate has been completed correctly, the certificate application is processed by Vital Statistics within 3 business days of its receipt. This 3-day period does not include mailing/delivery time.

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

Delivery options for legal change of name certificates

• By mail to the address provided on the application form – no extra charge.
• To the registry agent office or AMA (as is applicable) if they offer call box service. Arrangements must be made with them – a service fee may apply.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Government Contact Centre:

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

For the deaf or hard-of-hearing: TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215 (in Alberta)

Email: [email protected]

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