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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)
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It is not illegal to use an alias in British Columbia, although you will not be allowed to obtain government identification or to make certain legal transactions, like the transfer of property, using an alias. An ''alias'' is a name other than your legal, registered name. | It is not illegal to use an alias in British Columbia, although you will not be allowed to obtain government identification or to make certain legal transactions, like the transfer of property, using an alias. An ''alias'' is a name other than your legal, registered name. | ||
People often use aliases just because that's how people have come to know them, like a nickname, or because their real name is too hard for native English-speakers to pronounce or spell easily. Most people who want to legally change their names do so because they were adopted, married or divorced. Others do so for purely personal reasons. I remember reading a change of name notice for a fellow with the unfortunate name of Donald Duck. | People often use aliases just because that's how people have come to know them, like a nickname, or because their real name is too hard for native English-speakers to pronounce or spell easily. Most people who want to legally change their names do so because they were adopted, married, or divorced. Others do so for purely personal reasons. I remember reading a change of name notice for a fellow with the unfortunate name of Donald Duck. | ||
You can apply to have a legal, registered name that differs from your birth or married name under the provincial ''Name Act''. This is a purely paper process and a hearing before a judge won't be necessary in most cases. Section 4 of the act sets out who may apply for a change of name: | You can apply to have a legal, registered name that differs from your birth or married name under the provincial ''Name Act''. This is a purely paper process and a hearing before a judge won't be necessary in most cases. Section 4 of the act sets out who may apply for a change of name: | ||
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<blockquote><tt>(6) If, in the opinion of the director, 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 director, proceed with the application without the consent of that person.</tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>(6) If, in the opinion of the director, 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 director, proceed with the application without the consent of that person.</tt></blockquote> | ||
When your name has been legally changed, the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Health Services' 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. | When your name has been legally changed, the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Health Services' 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=== | ||
