Answer
New Brunswick offers two pathways for a name change after divorce: an expedited resumption application costing $20 if filed within 90 days of the divorce judgment, or a formal application under Section 4 of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103 costing $130 if filed after the 90-day window. Both applications are submitted through Service New Brunswick to the Registrar General of Vital Statistics. The entire process from application to updated identification documents typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, depending on which pathway applies and how quickly you update secondary records such as your passport, Social Insurance Number, and driver's licence.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103 |
| Expedited Fee (within 90 days) | $20 |
| Formal Application Fee (surname) | $130 |
| Formal Application Fee (given/middle name) | $115 |
| Residency Requirement | 3 months in New Brunswick |
| Minimum Age | 16 years (19 for independent application without parental consent) |
| Processing Time | 6 to 8 weeks (standard) |
| Publication Requirement | Royal Gazette notice for applicants 18+ under s. 10(2) |
| Divorce Filing Fee (Court of King's Bench) | $110 ($100 petition + $10 clearance certificate) |
| Divorce Residency Requirement | 1 year ordinary resident under Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, s. 3(1) |
What Are the Two Pathways for a Name Change After Divorce in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick law provides two distinct pathways for changing your name after divorce: an expedited resumption route costing $20 within 90 days of your divorce judgment, and a formal Change of Name application costing $130 for surname changes after the 90-day window closes. The pathway you use depends entirely on how much time has passed since your divorce was finalized by the Court of King's Bench, Family Division.
The expedited route under Section 7 of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103 allows a divorced spouse to resume a former name by filing a simple application with the Registrar General within 90 days of the divorce judgment date. This application requires only the divorce certificate, your birth certificate, proof of New Brunswick residency, and the $20 fee. The Registrar General processes these applications as a ministerial function, meaning no hearing or additional approval is required.
If more than 90 days have passed since the divorce judgment, New Brunswick requires the full formal application under Section 4 of the Change of Name Act. This involves the standard $130 surname change fee, a more detailed application form, and publication of the name change in the New Brunswick Royal Gazette under Section 10(2). The formal route typically adds 2 to 4 weeks of processing time compared to the expedited pathway.
What Documents Do You Need for a Post-Divorce Name Change in New Brunswick?
A post-divorce name change in New Brunswick requires a minimum of 4 core documents: your divorce certificate or judgment, a long-form birth certificate showing parents' names, valid government-issued photo identification, and proof of New Brunswick residency for at least 3 months. Missing any single document will delay your application by weeks or result in rejection by the Registrar General.
The specific document requirements depend on which pathway you use:
For the expedited 90-day resumption route ($20):
- Certified copy of the divorce judgment from the Court of King's Bench
- Long-form birth certificate issued by your province of birth
- Valid government photo ID (New Brunswick driver's licence or NB Identification Card)
- Proof of New Brunswick residency for at least 3 months (utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement)
- Completed resumption of name application form
For the formal application route ($130):
- All documents listed above for the expedited route
- Completed Change of Name application form (available at any Service New Brunswick centre or online)
- Two pieces of supporting identification
- A statutory declaration if applicable
- Additional $45 fee if you do not already have a birth certificate on file
All documents must be originals or certified copies. Service New Brunswick does not accept photocopies, scanned documents, or notarized copies of vital records. If your birth certificate was issued outside New Brunswick, you must obtain a long-form version from the vital statistics office in your province or territory of birth.
How Long Does the Name Change Process Take in New Brunswick?
The standard processing time for a name change application in New Brunswick is 6 to 8 weeks from the date the Registrar General receives a complete application. The expedited resumption route (within 90 days of divorce) typically processes in 4 to 6 weeks because it does not require Royal Gazette publication. The total time to update all identification documents ranges from 10 to 16 weeks when accounting for secondary records.
Here is a realistic timeline for the complete process:
| Step | Estimated Time | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gather documents (birth certificate, divorce certificate, ID) | 1 to 3 weeks | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Submit application to Service New Brunswick | 1 day | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Registrar General processing | 4 to 8 weeks | 5 to 11 weeks |
| Receive Change of Name Certificate or updated birth certificate | Included above | 5 to 11 weeks |
| Update driver's licence at Service New Brunswick | Same day (in person) | 5 to 11 weeks |
| Update Social Insurance Number with Service Canada | 2 to 4 weeks | 7 to 15 weeks |
| Update passport with IRCC | 4 to 8 weeks | 11 to 19 weeks |
| Update NB Medicare card | 2 to 4 weeks | 7 to 15 weeks |
| Update CRA records | 2 to 3 weeks (auto-updates via SIN change) | 9 to 18 weeks |
The longest single delay is usually obtaining a long-form birth certificate from another province. If you were born outside New Brunswick, ordering your birth certificate from another province can add 3 to 6 weeks before you can even submit the name change application. New Brunswick residents born in the province can request their birth certificate simultaneously with the name change application through Service New Brunswick, saving significant time.
How Much Does a Name Change After Divorce Cost in New Brunswick?
The total cost of a name change after divorce in New Brunswick ranges from $20 to $267, depending on the pathway used and whether you need to replace existing identification documents. The expedited resumption route within 90 days of the divorce judgment costs only $20, making New Brunswick one of the most affordable provinces in Canada for post-divorce name changes.
| Cost Item | Expedited Route | Formal Route |
|---|---|---|
| Name change application fee | $20 | $130 |
| Birth certificate (if needed) | $45 | $45 |
| New Brunswick driver's licence replacement | $0 (no fee for name update) | $0 |
| Passport replacement (adult, 10-year) | $160 | $160 |
| SIN update | $0 | $0 |
| NB Medicare card update | $0 | $0 |
| CRA update | $0 | $0 |
| Certified copies of Change of Name Certificate | $15 each | $15 each |
| Minimum total (with existing birth certificate) | $20 | $130 |
| Typical total (with passport update) | $180 | $290 |
As of March 2026. Verify current fees with Service New Brunswick or the Court of King's Bench before filing.
New Brunswick residents receiving social assistance under the Family Income Security Act may qualify for a fee waiver on the name change application. The Registrar General has discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated financial hardship, though this must be requested at the time of application.
What Is the Step-by-Step Process for Changing Your Name After Divorce in New Brunswick?
The step-by-step process for a name change after divorce in New Brunswick involves 7 distinct stages: obtaining your divorce certificate, gathering supporting documents, submitting the application, receiving your Change of Name Certificate, and then updating 5 or more government-issued identification records. Each stage must be completed in order because later stages require documents produced in earlier stages.
Step 1: Obtain your certified divorce certificate from the Court of King's Bench, Family Division. If you do not already have a copy, request one from the court registry where your divorce was granted. The court charges a fee for certified copies.
Step 2: Obtain a long-form birth certificate from the vital statistics office in your province of birth. If you were born in New Brunswick, Service New Brunswick can provide this. If born elsewhere, contact that province's vital statistics office. Processing takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on the province.
Step 3: Determine which pathway applies. If your divorce judgment is dated within the last 90 days, use the expedited resumption route ($20). If more than 90 days have passed, use the formal application route ($130).
Step 4: Complete the appropriate application form. Forms are available at any Service New Brunswick centre or through the New Brunswick Vital Statistics website. Bring your completed form, all supporting documents, and payment to a Service New Brunswick centre in person.
Step 5: Wait for processing. The Registrar General will process your application in 4 to 8 weeks. For formal applications, your name change will be published in the New Brunswick Royal Gazette under Section 10(2) of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103, unless the Registrar General grants an exemption under Section 10(3).
Step 6: Receive your Change of Name Certificate or updated birth certificate. This is the legal proof of your new name that you will need for all subsequent document updates.
Step 7: Update all identification documents in the correct order. Start with your Social Insurance Number (because CRA auto-updates from SIN records), then your driver's licence, NB Medicare card, passport, and finally private records such as bank accounts, employer records, and insurance policies.
Can You Include a Name Change in Your Divorce Judgment in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick courts can include a name change provision directly in the divorce judgment under the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, though this is not a standard practice in the province. Including the name change in the divorce judgment itself bypasses the separate Change of Name Act application entirely and costs nothing beyond the $110 divorce filing fee. However, most New Brunswick family lawyers advise clients to handle the name change separately because it simplifies the divorce proceeding.
If you want the name change included in the divorce judgment, you or your lawyer must request it as part of the corollary relief in the divorce petition. The Court of King's Bench, Family Division has inherent jurisdiction to grant a name change as part of divorce proceedings. This request should be included in the original petition or joint petition rather than added after the judgment is granted.
The advantage of including the name change in the divorce judgment is speed and cost: you avoid the separate $20 or $130 fee, and the name change takes effect on the date the divorce becomes final (31 days after the judgment under Section 12(1) of the Divorce Act). The disadvantage is that it requires coordination with your lawyer and may not be available if you are filing without legal representation through a desk divorce.
How Do You Update Federal Documents After a Name Change in New Brunswick?
After receiving your Change of Name Certificate from New Brunswick Vital Statistics, you must update federal documents separately with each issuing agency. The three critical federal updates are your Social Insurance Number (SIN), Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) records, and Canadian passport. These federal updates are free except for the passport, which costs $160 for a 10-year adult renewal as of 2026.
Social Insurance Number (SIN): Visit any Service Canada Centre in New Brunswick with your Change of Name Certificate (or updated birth certificate) and current SIN card or letter. The SIN number itself does not change, but the name associated with it is updated. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. This should be your first federal update because CRA records are automatically linked to SIN data.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Once your SIN is updated, CRA records update automatically within 2 to 3 weeks. You can verify the update through your CRA My Account portal. If you need to file taxes before the automatic update processes, you can call CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 to request an expedited update.
Canadian Passport: Apply for a new passport through IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) by submitting a new passport application with your Change of Name Certificate, the old passport, and the applicable fee ($160 for a 10-year adult passport). Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks for standard service. If you have imminent travel plans, expedited service is available for an additional fee at select passport offices.
How Do You Update Provincial Documents After a Divorce Name Change in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick provincial document updates after a divorce name change typically take 1 to 4 weeks and are processed through Service New Brunswick centres. The three essential provincial updates are your driver's licence, NB Medicare card, and vehicle registration. There is no fee for updating your name on a New Brunswick driver's licence or Medicare card due to a legal name change.
Driver's Licence / NB Identification Card: Visit any Service New Brunswick centre with your Change of Name Certificate and current driver's licence. The update is processed the same day, and you receive a temporary paper licence immediately. Your new photo card arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks. There is no fee for a name change update on your licence.
NB Medicare Card: Submit a change of information form to Medicare at the Department of Health, or visit a Service New Brunswick centre. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. You will need your Change of Name Certificate and current Medicare card.
Vehicle Registration: If you own a vehicle registered in New Brunswick, update your registration at a Service New Brunswick centre. Bring your Change of Name Certificate and current registration. The update is processed immediately.
Property Records: If you own real property in New Brunswick, contact Service New Brunswick's Land Registry to update property titles and deeds. This is especially important if you are retaining the matrimonial home as part of the property division under Section 4 of the Marital Property Act, RSNB 2012, c. 107.
What About Changing a Child's Name After Divorce in New Brunswick?
Changing a child's surname after divorce in New Brunswick requires the written consent of both parents and costs $130 under Section 6 of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103. If one parent does not consent, the applying parent must obtain a court order from the Court of King's Bench, Family Division. New Brunswick courts apply the best interests of the child standard when deciding contested child name change applications.
The requirements for a child's name change in New Brunswick include:
- The child must be a resident of New Brunswick for at least 3 months
- Written consent of both parents (or a court order if consent is refused)
- The child's long-form birth certificate
- Proof of the applicant parent's identity
- Proof of the parenting order or divorce judgment showing parenting arrangements
- The $130 application fee
For children aged 12 to 15, New Brunswick requires the child's own written consent in addition to parental consent. Children aged 16 and older can apply independently without parental consent under Section 3 of the Change of Name Act.
New Brunswick courts consider several factors when one parent objects to a child's name change: the length of time the child has used the current name, the child's relationship with both parents, the child's own preference (depending on age and maturity), potential confusion in school or medical records, and whether the name change serves the child's best interests under the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, s. 16.1.
Does the Royal Gazette Publication Requirement Apply to All Name Changes?
The Royal Gazette publication requirement under Section 10(2) of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103 applies to all registered name changes for applicants aged 18 and older. This means your new name and former name will be published in the New Brunswick Royal Gazette, which is a public record. The Registrar General can grant exemptions under Section 10(3) in three specific circumstances.
The Registrar General may waive the Royal Gazette publication requirement if:
- The applicant would be unduly prejudiced by the publication (such as in cases of domestic violence or safety concerns)
- The publication would serve no useful purpose
- The applicant has been commonly known under the new name and the change simply formalizes existing usage
For divorce-related name changes, many applicants who have already been using their maiden name socially may qualify for the third exemption. If you have been using your pre-marriage surname in daily life and the formal name change simply aligns your legal documents with your common usage, you can request the publication exemption when submitting your application.
The expedited 90-day resumption route may also bypass the Royal Gazette requirement because it is treated as a resumption of a former registered name rather than a new name change. Applicants concerned about privacy should ask the Registrar General about this distinction when submitting their application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to my maiden name without a lawyer in New Brunswick?
Yes, you can complete a name change after divorce in New Brunswick without a lawyer. The entire process is administrative, not judicial, and is handled through Service New Brunswick and the Registrar General of Vital Statistics. The expedited route costs $20 within 90 days of the divorce judgment, and the formal route costs $130. No court appearance is required for either pathway.
How long after my divorce do I have to use the $20 expedited name change?
New Brunswick allows the expedited $20 resumption application for 90 days from the date the divorce judgment becomes effective. Under Section 12(1) of the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, a divorce judgment takes effect on the 31st day after it is granted. The 90-day clock starts from that effective date, giving you a total window of approximately 121 days from the judgment date.
Can I change my name to something other than my maiden name after divorce?
Yes, but this requires the formal Change of Name application under Section 4 of the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103, regardless of when you file. The expedited $20 route only applies to resuming a previously registered name. Changing to an entirely new surname costs $130, and changing given or middle names costs $115. The Registrar General may refuse a name that is considered misleading or contrary to the public interest.
Do I need my ex-spouse's permission to change my name after divorce?
No, you do not need your former spouse's consent to change your own name after divorce in New Brunswick. The Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103 does not require spousal consent for adult name changes. However, changing a child's surname requires the written consent of both parents under Section 6, or a court order from the Court of King's Bench.
Will my name change be published publicly?
For formal applications by applicants aged 18 and older, the Registrar General must publish the name change in the New Brunswick Royal Gazette under Section 10(2) of the Change of Name Act. Exemptions are available under Section 10(3) for applicants who would be prejudiced by publication, where publication serves no useful purpose, or where the applicant has commonly used the new name.
How do I update my name on my New Brunswick driver's licence?
Visit any Service New Brunswick centre with your Change of Name Certificate (or updated birth certificate) and your current driver's licence. The name update is processed the same day at no charge. You receive a temporary paper licence immediately, and your new photo card arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I keep my married name after divorce in New Brunswick?
Yes, there is no legal obligation to change your name after divorce in New Brunswick. You may continue using your married surname indefinitely. No application, fee, or legal process is required to retain a surname you adopted during marriage. This applies regardless of whether your former spouse objects to your continued use of the name.
What if I lost my divorce certificate and need to change my name?
You can obtain a replacement divorce certificate from the Court of King's Bench registry where your divorce was granted, or from the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa. The fee for a certified copy from the court registry varies. Without a divorce certificate, the Registrar General cannot process an expedited resumption application. A replacement typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive.
Does changing my name affect my parenting order or support obligations?
Changing your name after divorce does not affect your parenting order, decision-making responsibility, parenting time, child support obligations, or spousal support obligations. Under the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, all orders remain enforceable regardless of name changes. However, you should notify the Family Support Orders Service of New Brunswick about your name change to ensure enforcement records are updated.
How much does it cost to change a child's name after divorce in New Brunswick?
Changing a child's surname after divorce in New Brunswick costs $130 under the Change of Name Act, RSNB 2014, c. 103. Both parents must provide written consent, or the applying parent must obtain a court order. Children aged 12 to 15 must also provide their own written consent. Court applications to override a non-consenting parent involve additional legal fees that typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on complexity.