Can I Change My Name Back After a Divorce in BC?
This answer covers the law of British Columbia.
Whether you need a formal name change after a divorce depends on your circumstances and on the rules of each office you deal with, so it is worth confirming before you start. What the law does say is that a divorce takes effect on the thirty-first day after the day the judgment is rendered.
A document that proves your divorce is a sensible starting point. A certificate of divorce is conclusive proof of the facts certified. You can request one from the Supreme Court registry where the divorce was filed once 31 days have passed. The fee is $40 in person or $50 by mail. If your divorce was granted 10 or more years ago, you may first need to get a copy of the order from BC Archives.
It is also sensible to keep your marriage certificate and current identification together. What Vital Statistics, ICBC and Service Canada each require, and whether any fee applies, should be checked with each office directly, because each sets its own steps. If your situation is unusual, such as your name appearing in different forms on different records, a lawyer can help you sort out the order to do things in.
Key takeaways
- Your divorce takes effect on the thirty-first day after the judgment is rendered, though the court can order an earlier date in special circumstances.
- A certificate of divorce is conclusive proof of the facts certified, which makes it a useful document to have.
- You can request a certificate from the Supreme Court registry where the divorce was filed once 31 days have passed.
- Whether a formal name change is needed, and what each office requires, depends on your situation and is worth confirming with each office or a lawyer.