Changing Your Name in BC After You’re Married
Congratulations on getting married! Now that the swirl leading up to your big day is over, you may be wondering what are the next steps if you are considering changing your surname. (Please note: we are communicating weddings and processes in The Province of British Columbia).
Somewhere in the midst of wedding preparations, photographs, hair and make up … you may recall that you acquired a Marriage License and as the wedding mania progressed, you and your partner signed the ML.
Before you have a panic attack trying to figure out what happened to your Marriage License … stay calm as your trusty officiant would have secured your ML and submitted it to BC Vital Statistics!
You will need your Marriage Certificate to begin the process of changing your surname. Our Vancouver Officiant administration team would have communicated that you will receive your Marriage Certificate in the mail in approximately 2-4 weeks.
Before we proceed further, you may ask: “Do I have to change my name in BC after I am married?”
Certainly not! You are not required to change your name after marriage in BC. It is your choice, in which you and your partner can process what is best for you individually and together. Name change considerations are not isolated to only women. Men can change their names too!
Name Change Following Marriage
Overall, you do not have to do a legal name change following marriage. The following is directly from the BC Government website regarding Legal Name Changes:
“Section 3 of the Name Act allows you to use your spouse’s surname after marriage without completing a legal change of name. In most cases, changing your name on bank accounts, social insurance number, driver's license, and other agencies is as simple as showing your current identification and your marriage certificate.
There are only a couple of circumstances in which you would need a legal change of name to take a spouse's name:
If you want to create a new surname by adding your birth surname as a middle name;
If you want to update your immigration or citizenship documents to reflect a new name or a married surname.
If you were born and/or married in B.C., changing your surname legally will change your surname on your birth certificate and your current marriage certificate. If you were born or married outside of B.C. but within Canada, contact your birth/marriage province to find out how it will affect your record.”
To summarize: If you are desiring to take your spouse’s last name in BC, it is not required that you do a legal name change. It is as easy as updating all of your documents with your current identification and Marriage Certificate as proof, then begin using your new name. You can also switch back to your given name at any time.
Please CLICK HERE for the BC Government Site to confirm the above as well as steps to take if you are wanting to inquire about the steps for a Legal Name change.
Doing Something Else With Your Last Name
Bottom line, anything other than assuming your partner’s last name in BC is much more complicated. If you are preferring to hyphenate or create a new last name legally, you will have to go through the legal name change process.
You can do whatever you want socially! The government doesn’t care what name you use on social media platforms or when you introduce yourself at social events.
The name change process begins by filling out the Legal Change of Name Application. This can be done online for a fee of $137. You may also be required to obtain and pay fees for fingerprinting services, a criminal record check and certification of documents. You must present your original birth certificate as a legal name change will change the name on your birth certificate. (Again please refer to the BC Government website for the up to date and absolute steps by CLICKING HERE).
List Of Documents To Change
B.C. HEALTH SERVICES CARD
Contact Health Insurance BC at 604.683.7151 or 1.800.663.7100 to change your name on your BC Services Card. After you’ve received your confirmation letter via mail, you can visit an ICBC driver license office to officially change your name on your services card. Don’t forget to bring: Your confirmation letter.
B.C. DRIVER’S LICENSE
If you moved in with your partner after the wedding for the first time, you’ll need to change the address on your license within 10 days of moving. You can change your address online, if you don’t have time to go into a BC Driver’s License Office, but it’s best to go in person – so you can change your name at the same time. Don’t forget to bring: marriage certificate, two pieces of ID in either your old or new name and money to pay for the new license. (Looking for the closest office near you? Click here
CAR INSURANCE
When you have your new married name temporary license (usually a yellow piece of paper until the real thing is mailed to you 2 weeks later!) you can change your name on your insurance. There’s lots of small Autoplan insurance agencies around and anybody can do it for you. Don’t forget to bring: your temporary driver’s license, your marriage certificate and obviously, your insurance papers from your car.
CANADIAN PASSPORT
For any name change, you have to apply for a new passport. You cannot use a passport renewal process for a name change, it needs to be a new Adult General Passport Application form. You’ll need proof of Canadian citizenship (birth certificate or citizen certificate), two supporting pieces of ID in your new name, two photos, one signed by a guarantor and required fees. You’ll also need your marriage certificate (original or a copy.)
SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER
You’ll also need to change your name attached to your Social Insurance Number with the Canada Revenue Agency. You must do this change in person (There are exceptions, if you live more than 100km from a Service Center, classic Canada, wide open spaces) at a Service Canada Office. Don’t forget to bring: your social insurance number, if you haven’t memorized it, your marriage certificate and another piece of ID. You can also change your marital status and link your account to your spouse’s number.
BANK ACCOUNT
If you’re considering a joint account, you’ll need to go into the bank with your spouse. Your marriage certificate to change your last name along with ID for your new joint account.
CREDIT CARDS
The procedure for this will vary from company to company. Some credit cards will be fine with a phone call and providing your new married name, others will want a copy of your marriage certificate mailed in with a copy of your ID.
& EVERYTHING ELSE!
The items listed above are the major things to change after your wedding, but you’ll find even after all of this paperwork, you’ll still see your maiden name popping up throughout your first year of marriage! Other places that may need to have your name change updated include: gym membership, naturopath, doctor, massage therapist, etc.
In Closing
There are always and will always be things to do … however, you are married! …. enjoy, celebrate and take it all in!
Wishing you great joy and marriage bliss.....for forever!
With joy, Your Vancouver Officiant Team