Legal Change of Name (Children and Youth)

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    Children and Youth
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    Youth in Care

Children and Youth

If you have been a B.C. resident for at least three months, a parent with custody must complete an Application For Change Of Name on behalf of the child. This application requires you to send the following:

  • The application form. Send your application form to Vital Statistics in Victoria. This is a different office than the one that processes gender change applications. In this case the parentis the applicant.
  • The child’s original birth certificate, or certified copy of both sides of their Permanent Resident Card or Canadian Citizenship Card/Certificate; AND the original birth certificate, or certified copy of both sides of the Permanent Resident Card or Canadian Citizenship Card/Certificate of the parent.
  • any previous legal Change of Name documents;
  • a photocopy of government-issued picture ID; and
  • the required fees
  • a handwritten letter from the child indicating why they want to change their name
  • A signed consent for from all other parents, a court order, or a death certificate dispensing with another parent’s consent.

Note on certified copies:

You must see a lawyer, notary, or commissioner for taking affidavits to have the name change application completed. There may be an additional charge for this. This person can also certify copies of your documents if requires. Bring the copies and the originals with you. Staff at Service BC offices can do this for free.

Once your application is processed, you will receive a Change of Name Certificate in the mail.

You can take this certificate to update your school, banking and other records.

If you are also changing a gender marker, wait until both name and gender marker change have been made before you order new ID.

If you were born in a province/territory outside of BC, BC will notify you home province that you have changed your name.

Note on required fees

We know the fees for these applications can be a significant barrier. Community advocates have asked the Government of British Columbia to review and remove these fees. 

If your net income is close to or below $20,000 or you have other extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to pay, you can ask the Vital Statistics Agency to waive the fee for your British Columbia name change ($137) and/or gender change ($27) application.

To do this:

  • Add a letter with the application asking for a fee waiver that includes proof of income.
  • The application should be submitted directly to Vital Statistics or through Service BC.
  • Be prepared for Vital Statistics to contact you for further information, as they may request your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) or other documents.

Please, also note…

  • Requests for a fee waiver without proof of income are not usually granted.
  • Applying for a waiver could delay your application.

Next Steps

If the child or youth was born in Canada, Order a new BC Birth Certificate or a new Birth Certificate from another Canadian Province.

Send a copy of your new birth certificate to Health Insurance BC.

Wait for a new Service Card to come in the mail.

If the child or youth was born outside of Canada, call Health Insurance BC to let them know you have changed the child’s name and/or gender marker. They may ask you to mail copied proving the change.  They will either send you a new Service Card in the mail, or direct you to ICBC.

Take the Change of Name Certificate, your new Birth Certificate, and your new Service Card (if you have these to ICBC at a Drivers Services Centre to get a new BCID or BC Drivers Licence.

Bring ID when you go:

  • One piece of primary identification (see link for accepted identification)
  • We recommend you do not get both BCDL/BCID and a Service Card combined into one card.

Take your new ID and your Change of Name Certificate to update your school, banking and other records.

Move on to the steps for changing Federal documents, if desired. Remember, name and gender markers can be changed at the same time. You should consider this approach if you want to streamline the process and minimize potential fees. 

Helpful Addresses:

Vital Statistics Agency: Name Change Office

Attn: Confidential Services
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3

Telephone: 250 952-2681 (Victoria & Outside B.C.)
Toll free: 1 888 876-1633 (within B.C.)

NOTE: This is a different office from the one that does gender change applications. Do not send both applications here.

Vital Statistics Agency: Gender Change Office

478 Bernard Avenue, #305
Kelowna, B.C.
V1Y 6N7

Telephone: 250 712-7562

Health Insurance B.C.

PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Gov
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9E3

Toll Free: 1 800 663-7100 (MSP)


Youth in Care

In addition to the ordinary process for children and youth above, youth on a Continuing Custody Order or Youth Agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development must follow a special process.

When a child or youth in care of the ministry under the guardianship of MCFD has experienced trauma related to their name, the application can be made by a social worker.

The application must also include:

  • A copy of the Continuing Custody Order or Youth Agreement
  • MCF Delegation letter to the Social Worker
  • A Statutory Declaration (commissioned by a lawyer, notary, or commissioner for taking affidavits) outlining the circumstances creating the trauma experienced by the minor as a result of their name.  

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