NationTalk: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it will waive the change of name fee for Indigenous residents of the NWT on an ongoing basis. Waiving the change of name for residential school survivors and their families advances the GNWT’s commitment to improve the lives of Indigenous residents and help further the cause of reconciliation.

The GNWT initially committed to waiving the change of name fee for a period of five years as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #17. Making this process permanent respects the intergenerational impacts of residential schools by allowing Indigenous people to reclaim their names at any point in their lives, and also protecting that ability for future generations.

To be eligible for a waiver of the change of name fee, individuals must be residents of the NWT. The NWT Registrar of Vital Statistics cannot waive fees for name changes made outside of the NWT if the individual was not born in the NWT.

Indigenous individuals who were born in the NWT but reside elsewhere in Canada must apply for the change of name in the province or territory where they now live. Once the change of name has been registered, they can apply for a new NWT birth and/or marriage certificate and request a waiver of that fee.

Quote(s)

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in advancing our commitment to reconciliation and supporting NWT Indigenous residents. By waiving the change of name fee, we are removing barriers for individuals to reconnect with their cultural heritage by reclaiming their names. This initiative recognizes the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and affirms our dedication to healing and moving forward together.”

– Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The current cost to change a name in the NWT is $134.00.
• The current cost of an NWT birth or marriage certificate is $22.00.
• Approximately 64 Change of Name Applications are processed by Health Service Administration (Department of Health and Social Services) in Inuvik each year.
• Since October 2018, 113 Indigenous residents of the NWT have reclaimed their names.

Related links

• Application to Waive Fees form
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Change of Name Application Form
• Truth and Reconciliation Findings
• Meeting the Challenge of Reconciliation: the Government of the Northwest Territories response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

For media requests, please contact:

Jeremy Bird

Manager, Communications

Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jeremy_Bird@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034