There are 4 types of legal name changes available:

• Adult Surname (with or without given name)
• Adult Given Name (only)
• Child Surname (with or without given name)
• Child Given Name (only)

To legally change your own name, you must be 19 years of age or older.

If you are under 19 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must complete the process.

All surname changes must be published in the Newfoundland gazette. Exceptions are as follows:

When the applicant would be unduly prejudiced or embarrassed by the publication (Please provide details in sealed envelope) The change of surname applied for is of a minor character The applicant has been commonly known under the surname applied for (Please provide these pieces of documentation)

Applications are available at Vital Statistics.

The following documents are required:

• Birth certificate in the old name (a baptism certificate is acceptable if you were born in Newfoundland and Labrador and do not possess a birth certificate)
• Proper applications from each name change package as required.

Vital Statisics Division

Service NL

P.O. Box 8700

St. John's, NL

A1B 4J6

Tel: (709) 729-3308

Fax: (709) 729-0946

Email: vstats@gov.nl.ca

In order to legally change your name in Newfoundland and Labrador, you must ordinarily be a resident of Newfoundland for at least 3 months. If otherwise, you must apply in your province of residence.

• Name Change $25.00
• New Birth Certificate $20.00

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Please explain the processing your application.    

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Please provide instructions on obtaining the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

This procedure contains information on how to change your name in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Enter other informations which might help

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

Place some external links which might help

More information which might help people.