How To Legally Change Your Name in Canada

The process of changing your name in Canada differs between the provinces. The minimum age for the applicant ranges from 16-19, and most provinces require police checks, and fingerprints to be taken. Please check your provincial website for the requirements in your area.

In Ontario, there are two options available to those who want to change their name.

The first is called name assumption. This option allows someone to “assume” their partner’s surname upon a legal marriage. The individual can obtain government issued ID with their partner’s name or a combined version of both names. This option is not a legal name change, it is basically a government recognized nickname. If the couple separates, the process to revert to their birth surname is much easier than a legal name change.

The second option is a legal name change where a new birth certificate will be issued in the new name and the individual can obtain new IDs. To use this option the applicant must be 18 or older. To change the name of a minor, all parties that hold guardianship over the child must agree (including the child if they are 12-17).

For members of the First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities, there are also options to use a single name or reclaim an Indigenous name.

Resources

Change your last name | ontario.ca
Change name | ontario.ca