I hate my name. How do I go about changing it?
I’m recently married and want to use my husband’s last name. Can I do this or do I have to change my name legally?
I hate my name. How do I go about changing it?
The Births, Deaths and Marriages Office (BDM), part of the Department of Internal Affairs, deals with changing names. It’s pretty easy to change your name at any age. It costs around $130 to change your name if your birth is registered in New Zealand, and $80 if your birth is registered overseas.
If you’re over 18, to change your name you have to fill out a statutory declaration. This is a declaration that you have to fill out in front of a lawyer, Registrar of Births, Justice of the Peace or another authorised official. The person who saw you fill out the declaration must also sign the form. The completed form, along with evidence of your current name, date and place of birth (like a birth certificate or a passport), and the required fee can be taken or posted to the Births, Deaths and Marriages office.
However, if you are under 18 years old, your parents have to complete a statutory declaration to change your name. This is a special form witnessed and signed by a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, a Registrar of Births, or another authorised official. The form has to be filled out and lodged by your parents or guardians. If you are over 16, you have to consent to the name change, and have to sign the declaration form.
The completed form, along with evidence of your current name, date and place of birth (like a birth certificate or a passport), and the required fee can be taken or posted to the Births, Deaths and Marriages office.
If you are the parent of a child under two and want to change their name, you can just fill out the appropriate registration form. If your child is born in New Zealand you don’t have to fill out a statutory declaration, just use the BDM 36 “Request for change of name within 2 years of birth” form. It costs $50.
The Births, Deaths and Marriages Central Registry
PO Box 10 526
Wellington
Ph 04 474 8150
Fax 04 474 8147
0800 22 52 22
I’m recently married and want to use my spouse’s last name. Can I do this or do I have to change my name legally?
You generally don’t have to follow any procedures if you’re married and want to take your husband or wife’s last name. The marriage or civil union certificate showing your spouse or partner’s surname can be used as evidence of your new name.