Legal Change of Name (born outside Canada)

You may be able to change your ID in the jurisdiction where you were born. Not all countries allow this. You can change your BC and Canadian documents even if your foreign documents cannot be changed.

If you have been a B.C. resident for at least three months, complete an Application For Change Of Name. 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;
  • a certified copy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or Canadian Citizenship Card/Certificate;
  • a photocopy of a receipt for fingerprinting completed within the past 30 days;
  • any previous legal Change of Name documents;
  • a photocopy of government-issued picture ID; and
  • the required fees.

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 fingerprinting:

If you are 18 years of age or older AND are changing your name, the Name Act requires you to have your fingerprints taken as part of a criminal record check. If you have a criminal record, the name change is noted in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. Fingerprints are only used for the purpose required by the Name Act and confirmation of the criminal record review is returned to the applicant directly from the RCMP.

Effective July 1, 2014, only electronic fingerprints are accepted. You can have your fingerprints taken electronically at any of the following facilities:

Please, also note…

  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fingerprints are by appointment only until further notice.
  • If there is a warrant out for your arrest, you will be arrested when you go for fingerprints. If this situation applies to you, get legal advice.

Fee waiver / reduction

If you require a reduction for the cost of fingerprinting (from $80 to $25) and you live in or near the City of Vancouver, please email lawyer@cwhwc.com to arrange for a reduction.

If paying for any part of your application will create a hardship, please contact lawyer@cwhwc.com for information about a fee subsidy.

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.

What to expect:

You will get a confirmation letter from the Vital Statistics Agency letting you know your name change application has been processed. You will get a Certificate of Name Change mailed separately.

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

Please note that if you are also changing your gender marker, be sure not to order new ID until you have also received your gender marker confirmation letter to ensure that your ID will reflect both the correct name and gender.

Next Steps:

Call Health Insurance BC to let them know you have changed your 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.

Go 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)
  • Get a new BCID or BC Drivers Licence, and a Service Card. We recommend you do not get both 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 Contact Information:

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)

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