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Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021

Registration of information - Name changes - Application for name change

70: Application for name change by guardian of eligible child

You could also call this:

"A guardian can apply to change an eligible child's name by following some rules."

Illustration for Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021

You need to follow some rules when a guardian applies to change an eligible child's name. The guardian's application must include a statement that is verified electronically or by statutory declaration, and it must be accompanied by a fee. You can verify the statement electronically, as described in section 128, or by statutory declaration, as described in section 129. You must declare in the statement that you intend to use the new name for the child and stop using the old name. You can also say if the child has already been using the new name. The guardian must give the child's birth certificate or other evidence that shows the child's birth date and place, and the guardian's status. The Registrar-General can ask for identification to confirm who the guardian and child are. The Registrar-General will return or destroy any certificates or evidence given to them if the guardian asks.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7273645.

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Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parenting
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"How to Apply for a Name Change if You Are Eligible"

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"When You Can Change Your Name"

Part 2Registration of information
Name changes: Application for name change

70Application for name change by guardian of eligible child

  1. An application by the guardian of an eligible child must—

  2. include a statement made in accordance with subsection (2) and verified—
    1. electronically in a prescribed manner (see also section 128); or
      1. by statutory declaration (see also section 129); and
      2. be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

        1. The guardian of an eligible child—

        2. must declare in the statement provided under subsection (1)(a) that, if the application is approved, the guardian intends to adopt the proposed name for the eligible child and to abandon the child’s registered name; and
          1. may declare, if applicable, that the eligible child has already used the proposed name instead of the eligible child’s registered name.

            1. The guardian must also provide—

            2. the eligible child’s birth certificate; or
              1. any other certificate or other evidence that satisfies the Registrar-General of—
                1. the date and place of the eligible child’s birth; and
                  1. the status of the guardian.

                  2. The Registrar-General may require the guardian to provide any means of identification that the Registrar-General reasonably requires to confirm the identity of the guardian or the eligible child (or both).

                  3. The Registrar-General must, at the request of the guardian of the eligible child, return or destroy the certificate or evidence provided under subsection (3) or (4).

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