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Difference between revisions of "How Do I Change My Name after Marriage or Divorce?"
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How Do I Change My Name after Marriage or Divorce? (view source)
Revision as of 22:10, 22 July 2019
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A 2003 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, ''[http://canlii.ca/t/1g6ph Trociuk v. British Columbia]'', 2003 1 S.C.R. 835, held that fathers should have a say in their children's names, contrary to the provisions of the ''Vital Statistics Act'' in force at the time. This decision also affects the right of unacknowledged fathers to be listed on their children's birth certificates. On June 4, 2004, the act was amended to comply with the court's decision, and section 4.1 of the ''Vital Statistics Act'' now allows the courts of British Columbia to make an order changing a child's surname when it makes a declaration of paternity. | A 2003 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, ''[http://canlii.ca/t/1g6ph Trociuk v. British Columbia]'', 2003 1 S.C.R. 835, held that fathers should have a say in their children's names, contrary to the provisions of the ''Vital Statistics Act'' in force at the time. This decision also affects the right of unacknowledged fathers to be listed on their children's birth certificates. On June 4, 2004, the act was amended to comply with the court's decision, and section 4.1 of the ''Vital Statistics Act'' now allows the courts of British Columbia to make an order changing a child's surname when it makes a declaration of paternity. | ||
Now, while you're free to name your child as you wish, there are some limits. You've probably heard of Dweezel and Moon Unit Zappa, and you probably know people named Sunshine and Starlight. Under section 9 of the ''Act'', the agency's | Now, while you're free to name your child as you wish, there are some limits. You've probably heard of Dweezel and Moon Unit Zappa, and you probably know people named Sunshine and Starlight. Under section 9 of the ''Act'', the agency's registrar general has the authority to refuse to register the birth — and consequently to refuse to issue a birth certificate — for children whose names the registrar general believes: | ||
<blockquote><tt>(a) might reasonably be expected to <span class="noglossary">cause</span></tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>(a) might reasonably be expected to <span class="noglossary">cause</span></tt></blockquote> | ||
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<blockquote><tt>(c) is, on any other ground, objectionable.</tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>(c) is, on any other ground, objectionable.</tt></blockquote> | ||
While it seems that the | While it seems that the registrar general rarely rejects a name, you should still be aware that this power exists. | ||
==Changing names== | ==Changing names== | ||
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<blockquote><tt>(6) If, in the opinion of the registrar general, exceptional circumstances make it unreasonable to seek the consent of a person as required under this Act, the applicant may, with the approval of the registrar general, proceed with the application without the consent of that person.</tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>(6) If, in the opinion of the registrar general, exceptional circumstances make it unreasonable to seek the consent of a person as required under this Act, the applicant may, with the approval of the registrar general, proceed with the application without the consent of that person.</tt></blockquote> | ||
When your name has been legally changed, the | When your name has been legally changed, the registrar general of the Ministry of Health's Vital Statistics Agency is required to make a notation on your birth certificate and on the registration of any current marriage. After the notation has been made, any future birth, marriage, or death certificates will show the new name. A Certificate of Change of Name will be issued that will allow you to obtain new identification, such as drivers' licences or BC Identification cards, in the new name. | ||
===Change of name on marriage=== | ===Change of name on marriage=== | ||
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* [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/ Vital Statistics Agency] | * [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/ Vital Statistics Agency] | ||
* [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/legal-changes-of-name/legal-change-of-name-application Vital Statistics Agency: Legal Change of Name Application] | * [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/legal-changes-of-name/legal-change-of-name-application Vital Statistics Agency: Legal Change of Name Application] | ||
* [ | * [https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/vs/babynames/ Most Popular Baby Names in British Columbia] | ||