If a person’s name is recorded incorrectly in the register, or has changed, they can apply to correct or change their name under regulation 17(1)(a) or 17(3) of the Land Transfer Regulations 2018.
Correcting a name
An application to correct the name of a registered owner is used to amend an error in the name. Applications are typically made to:
- correct a spelling error (e.g. Ann to Anne or Stephen to Steven)
- correct the order of the names (e.g. surname recorded as the first name), or
- add a missing middle name.
See the Landonline support section below for further guidance about how to prepare a correction of name instrument to ensure the correct memorial is recorded on the historic view of the title.
Where LINZ has made an error recording a person’s name in the register there is no need to lodge a correction of name. Instead, you should lodge a Landonline request to have the error corrected using the 'Title Correction' request type.
Changing a name
An application to change the name of a registered owner is used where a person’s name has changed and they want their new name to be recorded in the register.
Applications are typically made when a person’s name has changed:
- by marriage or civil union
- following a divorce
- by deed poll or statutory declaration
- by resolution under the Companies Act 1993, or
- by resolution under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 or name change under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
Evidentiary requirements
An application to correct or change a name must be supported by:
- an A&I form signed by the applicant
- a document or documents that evidence the grounds for the application
- a document confirming the client’s connection to the property or a file note confirming the practitioner’s knowledge of this – see paragraph 15 of the Authority and Identity Requirements for E-Dealing Guideline 2024, and
- where necessary, a file note documenting the steps taken to independently confirm the identity of the client – see paragraph 17 of the Authority and Identity Requirements for E-Dealing Guideline 2024.
Authority and Identity Requirements for E-Dealing Guideline 2024
For further guidance on these requirements as well as:
- the types of evidentiary documents that support a correction or change of name
- when a correction or change of name may not be necessary, and
- correcting or changing a name on records of title for Māori freehold land,
see the Correcting or Changing Names in the Register Guideline 2026.
Correcting or Changing Names in the Register Guideline 2026
When not to use a change or correction of name
Do not use a change/correction of name instrument to:
- change the ownership of a property – instead a transfer or other relevant instrument must be used, or
- register a statutory vesting of land following a change of a corporate body’s identity – instead a transmission or other relevant instrument must be used.
If a practitioner error has resulted in the wrong person being recorded as the owner of a property, this may need to be corrected by lodging a subsequent dealing or by an alteration to the register under section 21(2)(a) or (b) of the Land Transfer Act 2017. If you are unsure how to proceed you should lodge a request to correct the error.
You can read more about these processes in our Alterations to the Register Guideline.
Alterations to the Register Guideline 2024
Landonline support
Our Landonline dealings support guidance can help you prepare a change or correction of name instrument in title mode or instrument mode.
Prepare a change or correction of name
When preparing a change/correction of name instrument, Landonline defaults to Change of Name.
If the situation requires it, change the default toggle to Correction of Name. This ensures the memorial on the historic view of the record of title accurately reflects that the name was corrected.