Tokelau - Change Your Name (Deed Poll)

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Procedure

Changing Your Own Name

If you are 18 years or over, or you are or have been married, in a civil union or de facto relationship, you may apply to change your own name by completing a Name Change by Statutory Declaration (BDM 120) application form.

Together with the form you must send:

If your birth is registered in New Zealand

• The required document(s); and
• The fee of NZ$127.70.
• Complete a Request for New Zealand Birth Certificate (BDM 93B) form and provide an additional fee of NZ$26.50 or NZ$39.80 for a package (1 pictorial and 1 standard certificate for the same person) if you require a new birth certificate.

If your birth is registered outside New Zealand

• The required document(s); and
• The fee of NZ$127.70.
• Complete a Request for New Zealand Name Change Certificate (BDM 93N) form and provide an additional fee of NZ$26.50 if you require a new name change certificate.

If you are married or in a civil union, you may have your change of name recorded on that registration. Please complete all questions in the ' If your marriage or civil union is registered in New Zealand ' section of the form. There is an additional charge of NZ$46.00 for this service. This can only be done if the marriage or civil union took place in New Zealand.

Changing the Name of a Child Under 18 Years of Age In most circumstances a change of name for a child must be made by the guardians of the child. This is usually both parents, even if they are not married, in a civil union, de facto relationship or living together. Even if only one parent has the parenting order, both parents must still sign the form. If any other guardians have been appointed, they must also sign the statutory declaration.

Together with the form you must send:

• The required document(s); and
• The appropriate fee.

If a guardian is not able to sign, the reason why one guardian is acting alone must be described on the Statutory Declaration. This may be for reasons as, he/she:

• Is missing;
• Is dead;
• Is unknown; or
• Is of unsound mind or unable to act because of a medical condition.

There are some circumstances, other than those described above, in which the Family Court may allow one guardian to act alone to change the child's name. You will need papers issued by the court to support the change of name. These papers need to be included with the application form, fee and birth certificate.

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Required Documents

The documentation that is required to be sent with an application for a name change depends on the form that is being completed.

Name change by Statutory Declaration of person aged under 18 who has not been married, in a civil union or de facto relationship (BDM122):

If the persons birth is registered in New Zealand, you do not need to attach any supporting documents to this application. However, if we cannot find the persons birth record from the information included in this form, we will contact you for further information.

If the person's birth is registered outside of New Zealand, you must provide a certified true copy or an original of one or more document(s) providing evidence of the date and place of the person's birth, and of the person's status as a New Zealand citizen or person who is entitled, under the Immigration Act 1987, to be in New Zealand indefinitely. Please also include an official English translation of any document that is not in the English language.

Office Locations & Contacts

Contact the Government of Tokelau

Eligibility

To register a name change in New Zealand on or after 25 January 2009, the person whose name is being changed:

• Birth must be registered in New Zealand; or
• Must be a New Zealand citizen or entitled, under the Immigration Act 2009, to be in New Zealand indefinitely.

Fees

Forms, Fees and Information Brochures

Validity

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

Documents to Use

Name Change forms

• Name Change by Statutory Declaration BDM 120 (pdf 99kb)
• Name Change by Statutory Declaration of person aged under 18 who has not been married, in a civil union or de facto relationship BDM 122 (pdf 105kb)
• Request for Change of Name Within 2 Years of Birth (if birth registered in New Zealand) BDM 36 (pdf 65kb)
• Request for Name Change Certificate, Statutory Declaration or deed poll BDM 93N (pdf 86kb)

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

To have a name change for yourself or your child officially recognised, you need to register it with Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is done by making a Statutory Declaration (an officially signed and witnessed statement) on a Name Change form.

If the new name is accepted for registration, it is then recorded by Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If the person whose name is being changed birth is registered in New Zealand then any New Zealand Birth Certificate issued after the new name has been registered will show both the name registered at birth and all name changes for that person.

If the person whose name is being changed birth is registered outside New Zealand then any Name Change Certificate (relating to overseas-born people) issued after the new name has been registered will show all names and name changes for that person registered by Births, Deaths and Marriages on or after 25 January 2009.

Required Information

• Your name as listed on birth certificate or immigration or citizenship documents.
• The full name you are applying to change to (if you are changing your name).
• Date and place of birth
• Marital status and details
• Places of residence
• Address for Correspondence

Need for the Document

Tokelau has, since 1926, been administered by New Zealand. For the purposes of the principle of self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory.

New Zealand and Tokelau

Information which might help

• Obtain all necessary documents in applying for the change of name.
• Submit your application along with all other requirements.
• Once the new name or surname is accepted, you may proceed in registering your new name.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

You may want to change your name because:

• You have just gotten married
• You have divorced
• You just want a change
• In case of adoption

External Links

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Government of Tokelau

Others

The most important thing to do to legally change your name is to start using your new name. Introduce yourself using your new name, fill out forms and applications under your new name, tell all of your family and friends to only refer to you using your new name, and tell your school and/or employer of your new name.

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.