Change your own name | New Zealand Government

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If you're 16 or 17, you can apply with your guardians' consent. </p> </div> <div class="main"> <nav class="process-step-nav" aria-labelledby="process-step-nav-title"> <h2 id="process-step-nav-title">On this page</h2> <ol role="list"> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/#12">Overview</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/#15">Documents you need</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/#18">How to apply</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/#21">Get a record of your name change</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/#24">What happens next</a></li> </ol> </nav> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="12">Overview</h2> <p>You can apply to change your name if:</p><ul> <li>you’re 18 or over, or</li> <li>you're 16 or 17 and have consent from all your guardians, and</li> <li>you were born here, you’re a New Zealand citizen, or you’re entitled to live here indefinitely.</li> </ul><div class="callout-note callout--no-title" role="note"> <p>You do not usually need to apply for a name change if you’ve taken your partner’s surname after marriage or a civil union, or if you want to use your birth surname or maiden name again after a divorce.</p> <p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/changing-your-name-when-you-get-married/">Changing your name when you get married</a></p> </div><div class="accordion-toggle inline-accordion"> <div class="accordion-trigger"> <span class="accordion-title"> <button type="button" class="accordion-toggle__btn" hidden="">Expand all</button> </span> </div> </div> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If you’re 16 or 17" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If you’re 16 or 17 </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>If you’re married, in a civil union or a de facto relationship, you can change your name without your parents’ permission. Otherwise, each of your parents or guardians have to provide written consent when you apply.</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/changing-your-childs-name/">Change your child’s name</a></p></div> </details> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="What you can change your name to" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">What you can change your name to </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>You can change all or part of your name.</p><p>Your new name has to consist of 1 surname and 1 or more other names. If you have religious, philosophical or cultural reasons to have only one name, you need to include a letter of explanation with your application.</p><p>Your new name might not be accepted if it’s:</p><ul> <li>offensive</li> <li>longer than 70 characters, including spaces</li> <li>an official title or rank, or resembles one (for example, Justice, King, Prince, Princess, Royal)</li> <li>spelled with numbers or symbols (for example, V8).</li> </ul></div> </details> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="Update the sex on your birth certificate" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">Update the sex on your birth certificate </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>If you also want to update the sex marker on your New Zealand birth certificate, this is a different process to just changing your name. You can apply to change both using the same form.</p><p>Find out more and apply:</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-gender/change-the-registered-sex-on-your-birth-certificate/">Change the registered sex on your birth certificate</a></p></div> </details> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="15">Documents you need</h2> <h3>Photo identification (ID)</h3><p>You must provide a certified copy of 1 of the following:</p><ul> <li>passport</li> <li>driver licence</li> <li>firearms or dealer’s licence</li> <li>defence force or police service photo identity card</li> <li>NZ emergency travel document</li> <li>NZ certificate of identity (issued under the Passports Act 1992 or the Immigration Act 2009)</li> <li>NZ refugee travel document</li> <li>Kiwi Access Card or overseas proof of age card.</li> </ul><p>A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped or endorsed by a witness (for example, a Justice of the Peace) who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original document.</p><p>If you do not have a photo ID, you must complete an identity referee declaration form:</p><ul> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Passports-citizenship-and-identity/BDM76-Identity-Referee-Declaration.pdf">BDM76 – Identity Referee Declaration (PDF 113KB)</a>.</li> </ul><h3>Proof of your identity in the community</h3><p>You must provide copies of 2 different documents that show either your birth name, married name or new name. These do not need to be certified. Accepted documents include:</p><ul> <li>bank statement</li> <li>utility bill (for example, gas, electricity, mobile phone)</li> <li>lease or tenancy agreement</li> <li>motor vehicle registration</li> <li>rates notice</li> <li>IRD tax statement</li> <li>SuperGold Card</li> <li>student or tertiary identity card</li> <li>educational certificate or school report</li> <li>trade certificate</li> <li>electoral roll record</li> <li>certificate of approval or licence issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority</li> <li>Steps to Freedom grant confirmation letter</li> <li>Immigration New Zealand confirmation of visa / permit status.</li> </ul><div class="accordion-toggle inline-accordion"> <div class="accordion-trigger"> <span class="accordion-title"> <button type="button" class="accordion-toggle__btn" hidden="">Expand all</button> </span> </div> </div> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If you were born outside New Zealand" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If you were born outside New Zealand </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>You also need to provide evidence of:</p><ul> <li>when and where you were born, and</li> <li>your citizenship or resident status (you must be a New Zealand citizen or entitled to live here indefinitely).</li> </ul><p>You must provide a certified copy of any 1 of the following, as long as it states your name, date and place of birth:</p><ul> <li>New Zealand citizenship certificate</li> <li>New Zealand passport</li> <li>New Zealand certificate of identity or refugee travel document issued under the Passports Act 1992, with a letter or valid resident permit / visa from Immigration New Zealand confirming resident status</li> <li>letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming resident status</li> <li>Australian passport</li> <li>other passport with a valid residence permit / visa issued by Immigration New Zealand</li> <li>other passport with a valid Australian permanent resident permit / visa</li> <li>Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau birth certificate</li> <li>other birth certificate with a letter or valid resident permit / visa from Immigration New Zealand confirming resident status</li> <li>Chinese notarial certificate and a letter or valid resident permit / visa from Immigration New Zealand confirming resident status</li> <li>household census register from an Asian country and a letter or resident permit / visa from Immigration New Zealand confirming resident status.</li> </ul></div> </details> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If any of your documents are not in English" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If any of your documents are not in English </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>You need to get any documents that are not in English translated.</p><p>If you already have official English translations, provide these with your original documents.</p><h4>Getting your documents translated</h4><p>If you do not have official English translations, the DIA Translation Service can do this for you.</p><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240507120718/https://www.dia.govt.nz/Translation-Service">Translation Service — DIA</a></p><p>You may also get your documents translated by:</p><ul> <li>the government agency that issued the original document</li> <li>an approved translator, or</li> <li>a court in the country that issued the document.</li> </ul><p>If your translations are not acceptable, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Office will contact you.</p></div> </details> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="18">How to apply</h2> <h3>Complete the form</h3><p>In front of an authorised witness (for example, a Justice of the Peace), you must:</p><ul> <li>sign the statutory declaration section of the application form to declare what you have said is true, and</li> <li>show them your original photo ID.</li> </ul><p>Your witness must sign the statutory declaration section of the form to confirm they have sighted your original photo ID. They must also certify your photo ID and documents.</p><ul> <li><a title="Application to register a name change form, BDM120 .pdf file" href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Family-and-whanau/Application-to-register-a-name-change-BDM120.pdf">Application to register a name change BDM 120 (PDF 424KB)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Family-and-whanau/BDM121-Application-to-register-a-name-change-aged-16-and-17.pdf"><span>Application to register a name change aged 16 and 17 BDM 121 (PDF 405KB)</span></a></li> </ul><h3>Cost</h3><p>It costs $170 to change your name.</p><p>You can pay by:</p><ul> <li>credit, debit or prepaid gift card — for example, Prezzy® Card</li> <li>EFTPOS — only available when you visit an office in person</li> <li>foreign draft — only available if you apply at the Sydney or London office.</li> </ul><h3>Submit your form, documents and payment</h3><h4>By post</h4><p>You can post or courier your application to Wellington, Sydney or London.</p><h4>In person</h4><p>You can book an appointment in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/births-deaths-and-marriages/births-deaths-marriages-offices/">Births, Deaths and Marriages offices</a></p> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="21">Get a record of your name change</h2> <p>To change your name on other forms of ID, like your driver licence, you may need evidence to show you have officially changed your name.</p><h3>If you were born in NZ</h3><p>Order a new birth certificate to prove you have changed your name. This will show your new name and all your previously registered names.</p><p>You can apply for a new birth certificate on the name change form, or request one later.</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/order-a-birth-certificate/">Order a birth certificate</a></p><div class="accordion-toggle inline-accordion"> <div class="accordion-trigger"> <span class="accordion-title"> <button type="button" class="accordion-toggle__btn" hidden="">Expand all</button> </span> </div> </div> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If you were born outside NZ" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If you were born outside NZ </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>You need to get a name change certificate to prove you have changed your name.</p><p>You can order a name change certificate:</p><ul> <li>on the name change form, or</li> <li>after you have changed your name.</li> </ul><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/name-change-certificate/how-to-order-a-name-change-certificate/">How to order a name change certificate</a></p></div> </details> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If you got married in NZ" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If you got married in NZ </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>If you got married or had a civil union in New Zealand and you want to update your name on your marriage or civil union certificate, you can do this on your name change form.</p><p>It costs:</p><ul> <li>$55 to update your name on your marriage or civil union record, and</li> <li>$33 if you also want a new copy of your marriage certificate.</li> </ul></div> </details> <details class="accordion-item inline-accordion expander-type-accordion heading-h3"> <summary class="accordion-item-button accordion-trigger" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="In-page accordion" data-ga-action="If you’re on the human assisted reproductive technology (HART) register" data-ga-label=""> <h3> <span class="accordion-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="accordion-title">If you’re on the human assisted reproductive technology (HART) register </span> </h3> </summary> <div class="accordion-content"><p>If you’re a sperm or egg donor, or you were born as a result of a donation, you can choose to update your name on the HART register at the same time as your name change.</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/fertility-issues-and-assisted-reproduction/finding-a-child-or-parent-on-the-sperm-and-egg-donor-list/">Find a child or parent on the HART register</a></p></div> </details> </div> <div class="process-step"> <h2 tabindex="-1" id="24">What happens next</h2> <h3>After you apply</h3><p>If you ordered a new birth certificate or name change certificate, this will be posted to you.</p><p>If you did not order a certificate, you will get a confirmation email.</p><p>Check this page for regularly updated timeframes:</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/proving-and-protecting-your-identity/service-timeframes/">BDM service timeframes</a></p><h3>Change your name on your official IDs</h3><p>Your name will not automatically be changed on your other documents — this is a separate process.</p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/get-or-renew-a-new-zealand-passport/">Get or renew a New Zealand passport</a></p><p><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/changing-your-name-on-your-driver-licence/">Change your name on your driver licence</a></p><h3>Tell people about your name change</h3><p>Births, Deaths and Marriages will let the Electoral Commission know about your change of name, but other government agencies and other organisations will not automatically be notified. It’s up to you to update your information with places like Inland Revenue, your bank and RealMe.</p> </div> <div class="block-bottom "> <h2 class="sr-only">Utility links and page information</h2> <div class="PrintPageFeature page-feature"> <div class="print-container"> <button type="button" id="print-page-button" hidden> Print </button> </div> </div> <div class="SharePageFeature page-feature"> <div class="social"> <p class="social__heading">Share by</p> <ul class="social__list"> <li class="social__list__item"><a class="social__list__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240507120718/mailto:/?subject=I%20wanted%20to%20share%20this%20page%20with%20you%20from%20www.govt.nz%20&body=Change your own name%20%0D%0Ahttps://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Email</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="PageLastUpdatedPageFeature page-feature"> <p>Last updated <time datetime="2023-06-15">15 June 2023</time></p> </div> </div> <div class="block-hidden hidden "> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer" aria-label="Footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="container container__links"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>Contact NZ government</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/organisations/"> A-Z of government agencies</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/contact-details-by-topic/"> Contact details by topic</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>About this website</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/"> About Govt.nz</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/feedback-about-the-govt-nz-website/"> Feedback about Govt.nz</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/govt-nz-scope/"> The scope of Govt.nz</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="info-section"> <h2>Using this website</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/about-this-website/accessibility-statement/"> Accessibility </a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/copyright-and-attribution/"> Copyright</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/privacy/"> Privacy</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/about/using-this-website/terms-of-use/"> Terms of use</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container container__logo"> <div class="footer-logo"> <a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/" class="ga-track-logo-footer-aog" data-ga-event="click" data-ga-category="Navigation" data-ga-action="Footer-logo" data-ga-label="@attr:href"> <span class="sr-only"><span lang="mi">Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa</span> / </span> <img width="318" height="72" src="/web/20240507120718im_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/images/logo/nzgovt-logo-white.svg?m=1711332202" alt="New Zealand Government" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <a href="/web/20240507120718/https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/changing-your-name/change-your-own-name/" id="shielded-logo" aria-label="Shielded" hidden> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" width="40" height="40" viewbox="0 0 192 192"><circle cx="96" cy="96" r="96" fill="#445e5c"></circle><circle cx="96" cy="95" r="87" fill="#fff"></circle><path fill="#445e5c" d="M96 11a84 84 0 0 0 0 168z"></path><g fill="none" stroke="#fff" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="3"><path stroke-dasharray="6" d="M96 50.5H48a2.5 2.5 0 0 0-2.5 2.5v70a2.5 2.5 0 0 0 2.5 2.5h48"></path><path stroke-dasharray="7 6" d="M99.76 135.5h-43a2 2 0 0 0-1.76 1.11l-4 8a2 2 0 0 0 .08 1.94c.37.6 1 .95 3.71.95h44.79"></path></g><g fill="none" stroke="#445e5c"><path stroke-width="6" d="M96 52h47a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v70a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H96"></path><path stroke-width="3" d="M96 135.5h39a2 2 0 0 1 1.79 1.11l4 8a2 2 0 0 1-1.79 2.89H96"></path><path stroke-width="2" d="M96 141h43m-37-5v5m8.5-5 .5 5m8-5 1 5m7-5 4 11"></path></g></svg> </a> </div> </div> <script type="application/javascript" src="/web/20240507120718js_/https://www.govt.nz/resources/themes/dia-theme/dist/scripts.min.js?m=1711332202"></script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20240507120718js_/https://staticcdn.co.nz/embed/embed.js"></script> <script> (function () { window.onload = function(){ var frameName = new ds07o6pcmkorn({ openElementId: "#shielded-logo", modalID: "modal", }); frameName.init(); } document.getElementById('shielded-logo').removeAttribute("hidden"); })(); </script> <p id="print-date" class="print-date print-only"><span class="print-date__title">Date printed</span> 08 May 2024</p> </body> </html>

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Change your own name | New Zealand Government