Manitoba Vital Statistics Branch

Changing Your Name After Marriage in Manitoba

In Manitoba, you are not required to submit a legal change of name application if you are changing your name as a result of marriage. You may choose to:

Retain your current surname,
Assume your spouse's surname,
Combine your surname with your spouse's surname, with or without a hyphen, or
Assume your spouse's surname and retain your current surname as a middle name.

If you decide to assume or combine surnames, you must update all your identification documents to reflect your new name. Contact each organization with which you hold accounts to confirm their specific requirements for making the change. Most organizations will request to see your government-issued marriage certificate as proof.

Please note that if you assume a married surname in Manitoba, the name on your birth certificate will remain unchanged.

Changing Your Surname Back After Marriage

In Manitoba, you are not required to submit a legal change of name application following a divorce or the death of a spouse. If you previously assumed your spouse's surname and wish to revert to the surname you used immediately before marriage, the process is the same as when you first assumed your married name.

Contact all organizations with which you hold identification or accounts to confirm their requirements for reverting your name. Most organizations will request a divorce certificate or a death certificate as proof.

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Legal Change of Name

As of November 5, 2025, the process to change your name has significantly changed.

Applicants 18 years of age or older must submit a certified criminal record check as part of the name change process.

A person cannot apply to change their name in Manitoba if they:

have been convicted of a primary offence as defined in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada).
been designated a dangerous offender under section 753 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
been designated a long-term offender under section 753.1 of the Criminal Code Canada.
are a person who is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.

*DO NOT UNDERGO A CERTIFIED CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK UNTIL YOU ARE ADVISED BY VITAL STATISTICS BRANCH TO DO SO.*

Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will receive a form with information about how to proceed with your certified criminal record check.

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The process to change your name in Manitoba is outlined below:

STEP 1:
Complete the Application for a Legal Change of Name and submit with the supporting documentation and fees to:

Vital Statistics Branch

Attn: Legal Change of Name

254 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg MB R3C 0B6

Or in person by appointment, please call to book an appointment:

Telephone:	204-945-3701
Toll-Free (within Canada):	866-949-9296

STEP 2:
Your application and supporting documentation will be reviewed and if approved, you will receive an information sheet with detailed instructions on obtaining your certified criminal record check.

STEP 3:
Once you received the information sheet you can contact the authorized agency to discuss the requirements and fees to complete your certified criminal record check.

STEP 4:
Once Vital Statistics Branch receives your certified criminal record check, and there are no designated offences or additional grounds for refusal as per the Change of Name Regulation, your legal change of name certificate will be processed and mailed.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible?
What supporting documentation is required?
What is acceptable supporting documentation for proof of identity?
What is acceptable supporting documentation for proof of residency?
How do I apply?
Who Can Witness My Affidavit of Qualification and Good Faith?
How do I confirm photocopies of my supporting documents?
Do I need to a criminal record check?
How much does it cost of a legal change of name?
Do the fees apply for someone reclaiming an Indigenous name?
Will my name change be published?

1. Who is eligible?

Any individual applying to change their own name or their child's name must have resided in Manitoba for at least three months immediately before the date the application is submitted.

To change your own name, you must be:

18 years of age or older; or
Under 18 years of age and:

married or in a common-law relationship, or
a parent with custody of a child.

To change a child's name, you must be:

The child's parent and have:

the consent of the child if they are between 12 and 17 years of age, and
the consent of the other parent, or
an original or certified copy of a court order granting sole custody (exclusive parenting time and exclusive decision-making responsibility).
Note: Notice to the other parent is required.

The child's legal guardian, with:

a permanent court order of guardianship, and
consent from the child's parent(s).

To change the name of an adult (18 years of age or older), you must provide documentation showing that:

You are the adult's Committee under The Mental Health Act, or
You are the adult's Substitute Decision Maker for personal care under The Adults Living with an Intellectual Disability Act, with authority to apply for a legal change of name.

Subject to subsection 2(5) of The Change of Name Act, and subsection 1.1 and 1.2 of the Change of Name Regulation, a person cannot apply to change their name if they:

have been convicted of a primary offence as defined in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada);
have been designated a dangerous offender under section 753 of the Criminal Code of Canada;
have been designated a long-term offender under section 753.1 of the Criminal Code Canada; or
are a person who is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.

2. What Supporting Documentation Is Required?
The following supporting documentation must be submitted with your legal change of name application:

If you were born in Canada:

All previously issued birth certificates
Proof of identity
Proof of residency in Manitoba

If you were born outside of Canada:

Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Permanent Resident Card
Proof of identity
Proof of residency in Manitoba

The Change of Name Act requires adult applicants to submit a certified criminal record check. Do not undergo a certified criminal record check until you are advised by the Vital Statistics Branch to do so.

If you are applying on behalf of a person under 18 years of age, all court documents pertaining to guardianship and custody of the child must be provided.

Please note all supporting documents must be:

Originals or copies confirmed by an eligible witness; and
Translated into English or French by a certified translator if they are in another language.

3. What is Acceptable Supporting Documentation for Proof of Identity?

Your identity document must:

Be valid and issued by a government body
Have a distinct identification number
Show your current full legal name
Have an expiry date
Include your photograph

Examples: Manitoba driver's licence, Canadian passport, Certificate of Indian Status card

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4. What is Acceptable Supporting Documentation for Proof of Residency?

Your residency document must:

Be valid and issued by a government body
Show your current address
Include an issue date

Examples: Manitoba driver's licence, Manitoba Identification card (issued by MPI), Manitoba Health card showing your address.

The new plastic Manitoba Health card that does not have your address may be accepted with one of the following:

Signed mortgage agreement
Signed long term rental or lease agreement
Utility bill (hydro, gas, water/sewer, waste)
Property tax bill
Canada Revenue Agency income tax assessment showing Manitoba as your residence
Social assistance benefit confirmation
Employment and income assistance statement of benefits

5. How Do I Apply?

Complete the applicable application form.
- Application for an Adult Legal Change of Name
- Application for a Child Legal Change of Name
Submit the application form, all supporting documents, and payment:
- In person (by appointment only),
  
  Telephone: 204-945-3701
  
  Toll-Free (within Canada): 866-949-9296
- Or send to:
  
  Vital Statistics Branch
  254 Portage Avenue
  Winnipeg MB R3C 0B6

6. Who Can Witness My Affidavit of Qualification and Good Faith?

The affidavit must be signed by someone authorized in The Evidence Act of Manitoba. Examples include:

A commissioner for oaths (available at the Vital Statistics Branch)
A Manitoba justice of the peace or judge
A lawyer authorized to practice in Manitoba
A notary public appointed for Manitoba
A mayor, reeve, or clerk of any Manitoba municipality
A secretary-treasurer of any Manitoba school district or school division
The postmaster of any post office in Manitoba
A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A commissioned officer in the Canadian Forces who is on full time

7. How Do I Confirm Photocopies of My Supporting Documents?

The person who witnesses your signature may also confirm photocopies of your supporting documents.

To confirm photocopies of supporting documents:

Present the original and photocopied documents to the person witnessing your signature.
Ask the witness to compare the originals with the copies and write on each photocopy:

"I (print witness name), confirm that I have compared the particulars on the original document to the applicant and confirm this is a true copy of the (document type and number) issued to (applicant's name as shown on document."
(witness signature)

Ask the witness to sign each photocopy.

8. Do I Need a Criminal Record Check?

As of November 5, 2025, applicants 18 years of age or older must submit a certified criminal record check as part of the name change process.

A person cannot apply to change their name in Manitoba if they:

have been convicted of a primary offence as defined in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada).
been designated a dangerous offender under section 753 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
been designated a long-term offender under section 753.1 of the Criminal Code Canada.
are a person who is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.

*DO NOT UNDERGO A CERTIFIED CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK UNTIL YOU ARE ADVISED BY VITAL STATISTICS BRANCH TO DO SO.*

Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will receive information on obtaining a certified criminal record check.

Applicants 17 years of age or younger do not need a certified criminal record check.

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9. How Much Does it Cost for a Legal Change of Name?

Vital Statistics Branch fees:

Service	Fee
Legal Change of Name	$100.00
Manitoba Gazette Fee	$20.07
Total	$120.07
Additional family member(s) (submitted together)	$70.07 each
Birth Certificate (if event occurred in Manitoba)	$30.00 each
Marriage Certificate (if event occurred in Manitoba)	$30.00 each

Fee exemptions:

If you are reclaiming an Indigenous name, legislated fees may be waived.
The Manitoba Gazette fee is not required if the reason for application relates to the individual being transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, or two spirit Indigenous, as the public notice requirement will not apply.

If you were born or married outside Manitoba, contact the appropriate jurisdiction for requirements to obtain new birth or marriage certificates.

Certified Criminal Record Check Fees:

Vital Statistics Branch does not set the certified criminal record check fees. Those fees are set by individual authorized agencies. Applicants must pay these fees directly to the agency.

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10. Do the Fees Apply for Someone Reclaiming an Indigenous Name?

Residential school survivors, sixties scoop survivors, and their family members are eligible for a waiver of legislated fees for a legal change of name through the Vital Statistics Branch.

You may also choose a single name if it is part of your or your child's traditional culture.

Fees waived may include:

Legal Change of Name fee
Manitoba Gazette fee
Manitoba birth or marriage certificate replacement fees

Note: The certified criminal record check fees cannot be waived by the Vital Statistics Branch as they are charged by an external agency. Please check with the authorized agencies regarding potential fee waivers.

When completing your application, indicate that the reason for the name change is to reclaim your Indigenous name.

For more information, contact the Vital Statistics Branch directly.

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11. Will My Name Change Be Published?

Name changes are published in the Manitoba Gazette.

The publication requirement does not apply if the reason for the name change relates to an individual being transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse or Two-Spirit Indigenous.

When completing your Legal Change of Name application, indicate this reason and check the appropriate box in the Affidavit of Qualification and Good Faith section on page 8 of the application.

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