Apply for a legal change of name
How to legally change your name in Alberta: eligibility, required documents, fees, fingerprints, criminal record check, and submitting through a registry agent.
A person residing in Alberta may have their name legally changed under certain conditions. The process is handled through a registry agent, who reviews your documents and forwards the application to Alberta Vital Statistics.
Not every name change requires a legal change of name. For example, you do not have to legally change your name after marriage—you may assume a married last name. If you were born in Alberta, correcting an error on a birth record may be done with an amendment rather than a legal change of name.
To apply, read the Information Guide, complete the Application for Change of Name form, gather supporting documents (ID, proof of name, fingerprints for those 12+, criminal record check for those 18+, and surrender any Alberta birth certificates), and submit everything at a registry agent office. Photocopies and faxes are not accepted for some documents—confirm with the registry agent.
After approval, a Legal Change of Name Certificate is mailed for each person whose name changed. Surrendered Alberta birth certificates are replaced free of charge with the new name. If you were born outside Alberta, contact the vital statistics office in your birth jurisdiction for updated certificates.
Residential school survivors and Sixties Scoop survivors (and eligible descendants) may reclaim Indigenous names at no cost through Vital Statistics directly—do not submit those applications through a registry agent.
- Change of Name Information GuideOften required
Read the official guide before completing your application. Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices.
- Application for Change of Name formOften required
Complete the official application form for each person whose name is being changed.
- Acceptable IDOften required
Government-issued photo identification as required by Vital Statistics.
- Proof of nameOften required
Documents showing your current legal name.
- Electronic fingerprint confirmation letterOften required
Required for each person 12 years old and older who is changing their name. Only electronic fingerprints are accepted; a confirmation letter is mailed from the RCMP in Ottawa.
- Criminal record check or police information checkOften required
Applicants aged 18 or older must obtain this in person from a recognized law enforcement agency (not third-party providers). Must be submitted within 30 days of issue when starting service at a registry agent. A Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) can serve as both fingerprint document and criminal record check.
- Alberta birth certificates (surrender)Often required
All Alberta birth certificates issued before processing must be surrendered with the application for each person whose name is being changed. Replaced free of charge with certificates reflecting the new name.
- Proof of marital status
May be required depending on your situation.
- Proof of relationship
Required if you are changing the name of a child or ward.
- Government fee: $120 for a legal change of name (covers all name changes on one application form).
- Registry agents charge an additional service fee; fees vary by location.
- Fingerprinting fee: contact fingerprinting agencies for current costs.
- Criminal record check or police information check: cost varies by agency.
- You must be an **Alberta resident** and remain a resident throughout the change of name process (temporary presence in Alberta does not qualify if your regular residence is elsewhere).
- Applicants must be **at least 18 years old**, unless younger applicants meet qualifying criteria (e.g. legally married, widowed, divorced, in an adult interdependent relationship, parent, or guardian).
- You may apply to change your own name, your spouse/partner's name with their consent, or a child/ward's name (with consent from children aged 12–17).
- **Ineligible** if you have ever been designated a dangerous or long-term offender, are listed on the Alberta High Risk Offender Registry, or are a designated sex offender under specified Criminal Code provisions.
- Not all name changes require a legal change of name: you may **assume a married last name** without a legal change; **corrections** to Alberta birth records may use an amendment instead.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. Alberta provincial rules change. Always confirm requirements with Alberta.ca or a qualified professional before submitting an application.