New Brunswick Divorce Name Change Checklist

In New Brunswick, you must submit a formal Change of Name application to Service New Brunswick Vital Statistics with your divorce judgment and birth certificate showing your former surname. The application requires a declaration before a Commissioner of Oaths at any Service New Brunswick location, plus a criminal record check if you're 18 or older. The fee is $130 for a surname change, and processing typically takes 3-8 weeks before you receive your Change of Name Certificate to update other documents.

Your divorce judgment from the Court of King's Bench Family Division serves as legal authority for your name change, but New Brunswick still requires a formal application through Vital Statistics. Unlike some provinces with simplified 'election to resume surname' forms, New Brunswick's Change of Name Act (RSNB 2014, c.103) requires completing the full Change of Name application with supporting documentation. The divorce judgment proves the link between your married and birth names.

You need your certified divorce judgment from Court of King's Bench showing both names, a long-form birth certificate from your province of birth showing parents' names, government-issued photo ID, proof of New Brunswick residency for at least 3 months, and a criminal record check from your local police or RCMP. If your birth certificate is not in English or French, you must provide a certified translation. Applications missing required documents will be delayed.

The Vital Statistics surname change application costs $130, plus $45 for a birth certificate reprint if needed. Additional costs include driver's licence replacement ($22 at Service New Brunswick), passport renewal ($160-$270 depending on processing speed), and certified copies of your divorce judgment from Court of King's Bench. Total costs typically range from $200-$400 in New Brunswick when completing all document updates. SIN updates through Service Canada are free.

Vital Statistics name change processing in New Brunswick typically takes 3-8 weeks from submission of a complete application. After receiving your Change of Name Certificate, updating your SIN takes 5 business days online or 20 days by mail through Service Canada. Driver's licence updates are processed immediately at Service New Brunswick, though you'll receive a temporary paper licence while your new photo card is mailed within 30 days.

No, changing your name after divorce is entirely optional in New Brunswick. You may continue using your married surname indefinitely—there is no legal requirement to revert to your birth name. Many people choose to keep their married name for professional continuity, to match their children's surname, or simply for convenience. If you decide to change your name later, there is no time limit on when you can apply.

Changing a child's surname in New Brunswick requires written consent from both parents under the Change of Name Act. Children aged 12-15 must also provide witnessed consent. If one parent refuses consent, you may apply to Court of King's Bench to dispense with consent based on the child's best interests. The application fee is $130 for a child's surname change, and you must provide the child's long-form birth certificate showing both parents' names.

Start by obtaining your certified divorce judgment from Court of King's Bench Family Division—this document proves the link between your married and birth surnames. Next, submit your Change of Name application to Service New Brunswick Vital Statistics with the $130 fee and required documents. Once you receive your Change of Name Certificate, update your SIN through Service Canada first, as many other organizations require SIN confirmation before processing name changes.