Name Change Fees Waived for Residential School Survivors, Family Members

Government is making it easier for Residential School survivors and their families to reclaim their birth name.

For many Indigenous children entering residential schools, the process of removing their cultural identities began by replacing aboriginal names with Euro-Canadian names.

Beginning July 9, name change fees will be waived for residential school survivors and their families who want to reclaim names that were changed by the residential school system.

“Some children lost their names and part of their identity the moment they entered these schools,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “Waiving these fees will make it easier for residential school survivors to reclaim their birth name, and I am hopeful it can be another step in the healing process.”

Once the legal change of name is complete, fees to change a name on a driver’s licence and a government issued photo ID will also be waived. There is no fee to update a Health Card.

The province is making the changes in response to a Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission called upon governments to waive administrative costs for five years to allow residential school survivors and their families to reclaim names that were changed by the residential school system.

Currently, the fee to change a name is $165.70 and an additional $24.95 for each family member. The fee for a long form birth certificate is $39.90.

The fees will be waived for five years until July 2024.