How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Canada

It's easy to change your name in Canada.

In Canada, you generally do not have to go through legal channels to assume your spouse's name. You may start using your spouse's name immediately after the marriage, taking care to notify credit card companies, the department of motor vehicles and other interested parties of the change. Your marriage license will be used for verification. Under a few circumstances, however, you must apply for a legal name change. These circumstances depend upon the Canadian province or territory in which you live, but, in general, you must submit a name change application if you desire a last name different from your current one and different from your spouse's.

Instructions

1. Contact the Vital Statistics Agency in your province or territory. Depending on the province or territory in which you live, you will likely have to obtain a Change of Name Application or make an appointment with a registry agent in order to initiate the process. The specific territorial and provincial government websites will tell how to contact the appropriate vital statistics agency.

2. Gather the relevant documentation. Most provinces and territories require you to submit your birth certificate (if you were born in Canada), your marriage certificate and naturalization/legal residence papers (if you are an immigrant).

3. Determine other legal requirements. Each province or territory has different requirements for effecting a legal name change. For example, in British Columbia, you are required to have your fingerprints taken. In Nova Scotia, you are required to publish an advert in the newspapers announcing your intention to change your name and obtain the written consent of your spouse. Your Change of Name Application or registry agent should inform you of the other requirements, if any.

4. Submit your application. Once all the proper documentation has been collected and the other legal requirements met, you should submit your application to the appropriate agency (usually the Vital Statistics Agency) along with the appropriate fee. Fees for legal name changes generally range from $120 to $140.

Tips & Warnings

• In Nova Scotia, you must obtain your spouse's consent before changing your name; therefore, the general rule that you don't have to go through legal channels to assume your spouse's name does not apply.

References

• Ontario: Changing Your Name
• Vital Statistics of British Columbia: Name Change
• Alberta Government: Change of Name
• Service Canada: Websites of all Canadian Provinces and Territories
• Nova Scotia Vital Statistics: Changing Name

Resources

• Service Canada: Websites of all Canadian Provinces and Territories
• Canada Bar Association: Changing your Name