CHANGE
OF NAME AT TIME OF MARRIAGE - (IN MANITOBA)
The
law in Manitoba does not require a person to change their
last name when they get married. Both spouses have the right
to use:
- their
own last name,
- their
spouse's last name,
- a
combination of both last names, hyphenated or not, in
any order they choose, or
- their
spouse's last name, with their own last name as a given
or middle name.
For
example, when Nancy Smith and Brian Jones marry, one or
both of them can continue to be known by their surnames
before marriage or choose to be known by:
- Smith
Jones or Jones Smith,
- Smith-Jones
or Jones-Smith, or
- Jones
or Smith.
A
married person does not have to apply to Vital Statistics
for a change of name in any of the above circumstances.
The person simply has to use the chosen last name (e.g.
Nancy Smith Jones or Brian Jones-Smith). If a new name is
used, a letter with a copy of the marriage certificate should
be sent to record holders (such as Motor Vehicles and credit
card companies) so documents and records (such as a driver's
licence, credit cards) can be changed to the new name.
