Choosing your baby’s last name

When you register your baby’s birth in the Northwest Territories, you can choose the last name that will appear on your baby’s legal record of birth. This page explains the options your family can use, including traditional Indigenous naming practices. 

You can choose any of the following last names for your baby:

• The mother’s surname
• The father’s surname
• The other parent’s surname
• A combination of the parents’ surnames, with or without a hyphen
• A completely different surname, if all parents agree

This applies to all families, including adoptive, blended, two parent, multi parent and Indigenous families.

Use these rules when choosing your baby’s last name:

• Traditional Indigenous names can be used as your child’s surname.
• Names are currently recorded using the Roman alphabet. If the name uses characters from an Indigenous orthography, you can use the closest Roman alphabet version.
• A surname can include one or two names. These can be combined or hyphenated.
• Identifiers such as Jr., II or III become part of the legal name if you include them.

If the father or other parent is not available to sign the Birth Registration Statement, their details cannot be recorded until Vital Statistics receives the statutory declaration. There is no charge if this information is added within 60 days of birth.

1. Review surname options with your baby’s other parent or caregiver.
2. Decide whether you want to use one parent’s surname, both, or a different surname that you agree on.
3. Make sure the surname follows the NWT naming rules, including the two name limit.
4. Record the surname clearly on the Birth Registration Statement when you complete the birth registration.

The surname you record on the Birth Registration Statement becomes your baby’s legal last name on their birth registration.

You will be able to order a birth certificate after the registration is complete. Use the Order a birth certificate page to apply.

If information is missing or if a parent could not sign the form, Vital Statistics will contact you with next steps.