How to Change Your Name Legally in Ontario, Canada

To change your legal name in Ontario, Canada, you must fill out an application.

Changing your name in Ontario,Canada requires reasons for the name change and it will be printed in the local newspaper unless you elect it not to be. Your name cannot be confusing and if you have prior felonies or police convictions, you may not be able to change your name. You will have to complete an application through the Office of the Registrar and provide required documents as well as consent or notices, depending on your situation.

Instructions

1. Obtain the legal name change application from the Ontario Office of the Registrar. You can also apply online through www.ontario.ca.

2. Provide your birth certification and proof of citizenship or legal residency. A guarantor is needed to give assurance that you have lived in Ontario at least one year prior to your name change request. This is required by the Ontario government.

3. Submit any previous name change certificates and marriage or divorce certificates. Also, you will need to give proof of custody if you are changing a child's name or proof of notice to your spouse if you are changing your surname. The notice form is included in the application packet.

4. Furnish information on any criminal offenses or convictions with your application, including supporting police records. Due to security requirements because of identity theft, it is essential for the Office of the Registrar to have your complete background information.

5. Complete application and mail it to the Ontario Office of the Registrar. The contact information is:

   Office of the Registrar General,

   P.O. Box 4600

   Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6L8.

   Pay the required fees. As of July 2010, the fee for a legal name change is $137.

Tips & Warnings

• Guarantors can be a justice of the peace, school principal, members of the Law Society of Upper Canada or Managers of Ontario bank branches. If you cannot find anyone in those categories, you will need someone (not a relative) who has known you for five years and can verify that you have lived in Ontario for at least 12 months.

• If you are under 17, you must provide information on your parents, adoptive parents or legal custodians and their written consent for your name change.

• If you were born outside of Canada and your birth certificate is not in English or French, you will need to have it transcribed into either of those languages. If you do not possess a birth certificate, you will need to provide documentation as to why you do not have one.

References

• Ontario: Chaging Your Name