Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021

Registration of information - Name changes - Application for name change

68: Eligibility to apply for name change

You could also call this:

"Who can apply to change their name or a child's name in New Zealand?"

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

You can apply to change your name if you are 16 or older and your birth is registered in New Zealand, or if you are a New Zealand citizen or can live in New Zealand forever. You need to meet one of these conditions to apply for a name change. The Registrar-General will register your new name if you meet these conditions. If you are a guardian, you can apply to change a child's name if the child's birth is registered in New Zealand, or if the child is a New Zealand citizen or can live in New Zealand forever. You must meet one of these conditions to apply for the child's name change. The Registrar-General will register the child's new name if you meet these conditions.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS528493.

This page was last updated on 6 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Family and relationships > Children and parentingImmigration and citizenship > Becoming a citizen

67: Guardian may request name change within 2 years of child’s birth, or

"A guardian can ask to change a child's name within 2 years of their birth."

69: Application for name change by eligible person, or

"How to Apply for a Name Change if You Are Eligible"

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

68Eligibility to apply for name change

A person who is 16 years old or older may apply to the Registrar-General for registration of a name change only if—
the person’s birth is registered under this Act; or
the person is a New Zealand citizen or is legally entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely.

The guardian of a child may apply to the Registrar-General for registration of a name change for the child only if—
the child’s birth is registered under this Act; or
the child is a New Zealand citizen or is legally entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely.