Change Name on Title

If you don’t already have a copy of the title, order it for a fee to ensure you have the correct information before starting the application.

In the change of name application, you will be asked for:

• Name and occupation on title of the owner requesting the change of name
• Parcel identifier (PID) on title
• Desired new owner name
• Any additional name changes

Optionally, the occupation and mailing address on title can be updated with the name change.

You can also find the PID by searching the address of the owner requesting the name change on BC Assessment  or look in the “Property Location & Description” section of a  Property Assessment Notice.

A change of name application must include original legal documents supporting all name changes. These include original certificates issued by the appropriate government authority and statutory declarations explaining any name discrepancies.

How names must link

LTSA looks at the name on title as the starting point and reviews the supporting documents to connect all name changes to the desired new name. If your name has changed more than once, you’ll need to provide supporting documents for every time that your name has changed.

We call this the ‘chain of names’. To avoid delays, ensure you provide original supporting documents that link all names, so there are no broken links in the chain of names.

For example:

• If the name on title is Mary Jones and the new name is Carson Smith, you must provide supporting documents, such as an original Certificate of Name Change, showing Mary Jones changing her name to Carson Smith.

• If the name on title is Mary Jones and she first changed her name to Mary Brown by marrying Kelly Brown, and then legally changed her name to Carson Smith, you must provide supporting documents linking all the name changes. You might first provide a marriage certificate showing the name change, from Mary Jones to Mary Brown, and then supply supporting documents, such as an original Certificate of Name Change, for the change from Mary Brown to Carson Smith.

Accepted documents

LTSA will accept the following original documents in support of a change of name:

• Birth certificate
• Certificate of Change of Name
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce certificate
• Certified Court Copy of the Divorce Order issued by the Supreme Court which orders the name of a spouse be changed to the name they desire
• Statutory declaration with any of these documents to clarify name discrepancies or omissions

For name changes in British Columbia, documents can be ordered by contacting Vital Statistics online, calling toll-free to 1-888-876-1633 or at a Service BC office.

Do not send these documents

LTSA will not accept a driver’s licence, permanent resident card, citizenship card, social insurance number, passport, healthcare card, credit card or a marriage commissioner’s statement of marriage or a copy of a marriage licence.

LTSA will not accept photocopies or notarized copies – only originals will be accepted.

Provide a statutory declaration to explain name discrepancies

You must make all efforts to get original legal documents that link all name changes in your application. Sometimes there may be name variations that are not explained by the supporting documents. When this occurs, LTSA will accept a statutory declaration.

A statutory declaration sets out the facts of the name discrepancies. It is signed by the owner requesting the name change who declares they are one and the same person. A statutory declaration must be prepared and witnessed by a lawyer, notary public or commissioner authorized to administer oaths. A statutory declaration cannot be the only supporting document in a change of name application.

If LTSA already has the supporting documents

If you have submitted the supporting documents required for the change of name as a part of another application that is on file at LTSA, you can supply the filing reference number in your application instead of uploading the documents.

If any of the documents are non-English, provide an English translation. The translation should be done by someone fluent in both English and the original language used on the document. It does not need to be done by a professional translator.

You must also include a statutory declaration signed by the translator, confirming the translation is accurate and true. The statutory declaration must be witnessed by a lawyer, notary public or commissioner authorized to administer oaths.

Statutory declarations, translations and/or court-certified document copies, including court orders, submitted with your application will not be returned.

Follow these steps to create high-quality PDF scans of your original certificates and supporting documents. You can upload a maximum of 15 files with your application.

1. Use a scanner or scanning app. If you do not have a scanner, we recommend installing the free Adobe Scan app on your mobile device. Do not photograph supporting documents.
2. Ensure each scanned document is:
   1. PDF file smaller than 2 MB
   2. Readable with no blur, glare or dark areas
   3. Complete with all information on the original document visible
   4. One certificate or document per PDF file. An English translation may be combined with a statutory declaration in the same file.
3. If you are using a scanner, check the settings to ensure the scan’s dimensions are larger than 10cm x 15cm (4″x 6″) but no larger than 21.5cm x 35.5cm (8.5″ x 14″).

Each scanned file is checked for basic requirements when it is uploaded and then is also manually reviewed to ensure it is of satisfactory quality to be included in the land title register. Following these requirements will prevent delays in the processing of your application due to poor quality scans.

If submitting by mail or in person

Include original certificates and documents with the application. Do not enclose copies. Original certificates will be returned to you at your appointment or include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mailed application and LTSA will send back your certificates.

Note: court certified document copies submitted with your application will not be returned.

LTSA uses the BC Services Card app to verify the identity of the applicant and to sign the online application. The applicant may be a surviving owner requesting the transmission or someone acting on their behalf.

If you don’t have the BC Services Card app on your mobile device, you need to set it up first.

Learn how to log in using a mobile device or a computer.

Log in with the BC Services Card app

Once you have filled out the online application, the total fees owing will be calculated for you.

Fees are charged per parcel (PID), and are GST and PST exempt:

• $81.27 registration fee
• $16.25 for a State of Title Certificate

GST (5%) is payable on:

• $3.30 service charge per transaction if submitting online

Payment methods are:

• Online: Visa and Mastercard
• By mail: cheque, bank draft or money order
• In person: Visa, Mastercard, debit card, bank draft, money order or cheque

Make cheques payable in Canadian funds to: Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia. Cash is not accepted.

Additional fees may be charged to correct or withdraw your application if it cannot be registered (see item 6 under Statutory Services under the Land Title Act).