Have you started going by another name? If this other name is already listed on your act of birth as a given name, you can make it the official name you use on a daily basis through a simplified process.
“Usual given names”: a concept that already existed
Your “usual given name” is the first name you use in your daily life. The concept of a “usual given name” became official through Quebec’s family law reform in 2023. Since then, a simplified process exists to officially change it.
In practice, the Directeur de l’état civil (Quebec registrar of civil status) already identified people’s usual given name before the law reform. Before 2023, parents could already include several first names on their children’s act of birth, including middle names. The Directeur de l’état civil would list the usual given name first on the child’s act of birth and birth certificate.
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Good to know: People born before June 8, 2023 can contact the Directeur de l’état civil to change their usual given name free of charge. This can be useful if the name identified by the Directeur de l’état civil isn’t the one they use in their daily life. |
How to change your usual given name
You can change your usual given name by asking the Directeur de l’état civil. This procedure is called a “substitution of the usual given name”. Your new usual given name must be among the given names on your act of birth (for example, your middle name).
A person born on or after June 8, 2023 can request this change by sending a simple written notice. The process costs $129.
Unlike with name changes, you don’t need a serious reason to change your usual given name.
Who can change their usual given name?
You can change your usual given name if :
- you have at least one other given name on your act of birth, and
- you’ve been living in Quebec for at least a year.
Someone aged 14 and over can ask to change their usual given name on their own. Their parents will be informed and can object to this request by sending a written notice to the Directeur de l’état civil.
Parents can also ask to change their child’s given name. If the child is 14 or over, they will be informed and can object to this request as well.
Changes for new births
Since June 8, 2023, children have their usual given name written on their act of birth. Parents choose this usual given name among the different names on the act of birth.
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Did you know? Quebec’s family law reform in 2023 deals with many important topics, like changing your sex designation on your official documents, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, adoption and more! |