You must be a Yukon resident to change your name in the Yukon. Because of how many requests we receive, it can take us up to 6 weeks to process your request.
Starting on June 30, 2025, the Government of Yukon will waive fees for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis individuals reclaiming their traditional names as part of our commitment to reconciliation.
Legal name change
A change of name is when you formally change the name that was given to you at birth. It doesn’t matter where you were born; you can apply for a change of name regardless of where you were born.
Currently, a name must include a given name and a last name. The Government of Yukon is working to allow for single-name registrations and expanded character options.
Name change after marriage
After marriage you may choose to use:
- the last name you had immediately before the marriage;
- your birth or adopted last name;
- your spouse’s last name; or
- a hyphenated name consisting of your last name and your spouse's last name.
Changing to your spouse's last name is not seen as a legal change of name under the Change of Name Act. It's seen as an assumed name. This change is not registered with Vital Statistics office.
All you need to change your name and take up your spouse’s name after marriage is your marriage certificate. You will bear the cost of the marriage certificate.
Changing back to a previous name
If you want to change your name back to your birth name (for example, following a divorce or for any other reason), you can do so by providing:
- your birth certificate;
- your marriage certificate; or
- a divorce document.
Reclaiming an Indigenous name
Indigenous Yukoners can reclaim their traditional names through the legal name change process.
Starting June 30, 2025, the Government of Yukon has waived all related fees for Indigenous name reclamation.
You can reclaim traditional names.
No proof of Indigenous identity is required.
Characters and symbols that can be used
Characters currently available are:
- A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
À Á Â Ã Ä Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ù Ú Û Ü Ý Ÿ
à á â ã ä ç è é ê ë ì í î ï ñ ò ó ô õ ö ù ú û ü ý ÿ
–’
More characters and symbols from Indigenous languages will be added over time.
- Fill out an application for a change of name of an adult or a dependent child.
- Collect the required documentation. The required documentation is identified in the application.
- Submit the application, required documentation and required fees to the Office of the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
You can apply to change the given or last name of a child if you're:
- the child's mother;
- the child's father; or
- a person who has custody rights over the child under the the Children's Act.
You can only change the child's last name to:
- the mother's last name;
- the father's last name;
- the last name of a person who has custody rights over the child under the Children's Act; or
- a hyphenated last name consisting of 2 of the last names of the people named above.
A child's name change must be consented to by all individuals registered as parents.
Fees
- Change of name: $50
- Each additional family member you include in your application: $17.50
Waived fees for Indigenous name reclamation
To remove financial barriers to reclaim Indigenous names and as part of the Government of Yukon’s reconciliation efforts, fees are permanently waived for:
- change of name applications;
- searches related to the change of name process;
- issuing new birth certificates after reclaiming an Indigenous name; and
- alterations or corrections to name registration documents.
If you are reclaiming an Indigenous name, self-declare on the form. No Indigenous identification is required.
Who is eligible for the indigenous name reclamation fee waiver?
Any First Nations, Métis or Inuit person reclaiming their traditional name. No proof of Indigenous identity is required; self-declaration is part of the application process.
How to pay
You can pay the application fees by:
- cheque
- money order;
- credit card, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express;
- Interac; or
- cash.
Submit your application and fees
In person: 4th floor, Financial Plaza at 204 Lambert Street in Whitehorse. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Fax: 867-393-6486
Mail:
Government of Yukon
Change of name (H–2)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
For more information, or to ask for a legal change of name package, email [email protected] or phone 867-667-5207, toll free in Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5207.