Legal Name Changes in Manitoba
The Canadian province of Manitoba allows name changes for a variety of reasons. Individuals who wish to change their names are required to do so with the Vital Statistics Agency, and name changes must adhere to The Change of Name Act. Applications must include present and proposed names, along with several other pieces of requisite information and a processing fee.
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Marriage
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Individuals can take their spouse's name, hyphenate both surnames or change their name's completely. The person changing his or her name must have lived in Manitoba for at least three months before applying and be at least. Marriage name changes must be posted in the "Manitoba Gazette" newspaper.
Common-Law Relationships
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If two individuals enter into a common-law relationship, which The Change of Name Act defines as they are "cohabiting with him or her in a conjugal relationship of some permanence," they have the option of changing their names, as well. The person changing his or her name must have resided in Manitoba for three months before the date of application and, also, be at least 18. Common-law relationship name changes also must be posted in the "Manitoba Gazette" newspaper.
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Victims of Abuse
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When a victims of abuse or violence wishes to change theirs name in order to distance themselves from their abusers, name changes must follow The Change of Name Act. However, the director at the Vital Statistics Agency may allow these individuals to forgo publishing of the name changes in the newspaper.
Other Reasons
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Other reasons for name changes are taken on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of the director. They can be refused if the director believes the reasoning to be untoward, erroneous or confusing.
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