How to Legally Change Your Name in New Zealand

In New Zealand, you legally change your name by applying to Births, Deaths and Marriages, part of the Department of Internal Affairs, using a statutory declaration. There is no need to go to court for a straightforward name change.

This is general information about New Zealand law, not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a lawyer or your local Community Law centre.

How you legally change your name in New Zealand

New Zealand does not require a court order for a routine adult name change. Instead, you complete a statutory declaration, a formal sworn statement, and submit it to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Once BDM approves and registers the application, the new name is recorded against your birth, or against your immigration record if you were born overseas but are a New Zealand citizen or entitled to live here indefinitely.

Who can apply, and the BDM120 form

Adults aged 18 and over who are New Zealand citizens, or who are entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely, apply using form BDM120, "Application to register a name change." You need to:

• Choose the new full name you want.
• Sign the statutory declaration section of the form in front of an authorised witness, such as a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, or another person legally authorised to witness statutory declarations, who sights your original photo ID.
• Provide a certified copy of photo identification, plus other supporting documents proving your identity, as set out on the form.

16 and 17 year olds generally apply on a separate, related form (BDM121) rather than BDM120, and generally need a guardian's consent unless they are legally married or in a civil union.

The fee

BDM's published fee to register an adult name change is $180. BDM fees are periodically reviewed and have moved in recent years, so treat this as the figure at the time of writing and confirm the current amount on dia.govt.nz or govt.nz before you pay. A separate, smaller fee applies if you also want a new birth certificate showing your new name, since registering the name change and ordering an updated certificate are separate steps.

When your new name takes effect, and updating other documents

Your name change becomes official once BDM approves and registers your application. BDM does not automatically push the new name out to other agencies or documents. You need to separately update, at minimum:

• Your passport (Department of Internal Affairs).
• Your driver licence (Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency).
• Inland Revenue, your bank, your employer, and any other organisation that holds records under your old name.

Most people find it easiest to get an updated birth certificate first, once the name change is registered, and then use that certificate as proof of the new name when updating everything else.

Changing a child's name

For a child aged 15 or under, a parent or guardian applies on their behalf using form BDM123. Usually, all of the child's parents or legal guardians need to sign the statutory declaration section, even if the parents are separated or were never in a relationship. If a parent or guardian cannot sign, the application generally needs to explain why, for example because they cannot be located, are deceased, or are unable to act because of a medical condition, and provide supporting evidence.

In some situations, the Family Court can authorise one guardian to change a child's name without the other's signature. Where that has happened, the application needs to include the relevant Family Court paperwork.

A 16 or 17 year old can apply to change their own name using form BDM121, generally with a guardian's consent unless they are legally married or in a civil union.

Related New Zealand family and everyday law topics

A name change is a common step after a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends. If that is your situation, see our guide to divorce and dissolution in New Zealand. For other everyday legal topics, see the New Zealand everyday law section.