How To Formally Change Your Name In Ontario, Canada

To request a formal name change in Ontario, Canada, there are a variety of forms to consider, dependent upon the person requesting the official name change. The service delivery time is six to eight weeks so long as applications are properly completed and shown to be accurate. This time does not include processing time to change the requester’s government-issued documents.

A successful applicant will be issued a change of name certificate with their new legal name(s) and will receive a new birth certificate if born in Ontario. If not born in Ontario, however, the applicant will need to apply to the province or territory in Canada or other country where they were born for a new birth certificate.

Various types of name change include:

  • Formal name change (adults)
  • Formal name change (children)
  • Electing to change your name to a partner’s or spouse’s name
  • Assuming a partner´s or spouse´s name
  • Changing your surname due to marriage or divorce
  • Resuming your surname

Requirements for changing your name in Ontario include the following:

  • You have to be at least 16 years old
  • Lived in Ontario for at least one year
  • Requests to change your name can be refused if there is reason to suspect a name is being changed for fraudulent or improper purposes or if the name may cause confusion
  • It is required that the entire name be written in characters of the Roman alphabet.

Current Fees for Formal Name Changes in Ontario, Canada

  • The fee for an individual name change is $137
  • A certificate is included in the application costs but you can order more copies (varying between $15.00 and $22.00)
  • An additional fee of $22 is charged for each child 17 years of age or younger whose name is changed at the same time as the person who has lawful custody of the child

When you change your name in Ontario, the name change gets published in the Ontario Gazette. You can request that the name change be kept confidential (if publication can lead to significant harm).

You can search for all name change application forms at the
Official site for Office of Registrar General in Ontario

Once your application is processed, and your name is changed, you will receive a certificate of name change as well as a new birth certificate if you were born in the Province of Ontario.  You can use these to change the following Ontario issued documents at a ServiceOntario centre. that provides the service.

  • Driver’s licence
  • Health card
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Vehicle registration
  • Ontario Outdoors Card

Expedited Name Change

People who need their change of name or other information documents right away may be eligible for alternative service options.

These circumstances include:

  • Pending adoption
  • Postsecondary graduation
  • Correcting the sex indicated on the birth certificate
  • An immigration matter.

In these cases, contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-461-2156 or 416-325-8305 or in writing at the address listed below.

Additional information about various name change requests:

Applicants Under 12-Years-Old:

Considerations:

  • Was the child born in Ontario?
  • Is the child’s first name and/or middle name being changed?
  • Is the child’s last name being changed?
  • Is the child’s last name being changed to one they were entitled to at birth?

Acess the form to fill out an Application to Change a Child’s Name

Form Classification / Identification:
Form Number: 007-11156E Edition date: 2008/08
Title: Application to Change a Child’s Name
Ministry: Government Services
Branch/ABC: ServiceOntario
Program: Office of the Registrar General

Name Change (Adult)

To change your name as an adult, you must: be 16 years of age or older have lived in Ontario for at least one year before submitting a change of name application.

1) If you are 16 years or older and want to change your own name, please use the Application to change an adult’s name:

2) If you are 16 or 17 and want to change your name due to marriage, conjugal relationship, separation, divorce or death of spouse, please contact the Ontario Office of the Registrar General at:

Office of the Registrar General
P.O. Box 3000
189 Red River Rd, 3rd Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5W0

If you are unable to download the form you can request to have the form mailed to you. Please contact ServiceOntario

Toll-free at
1-800-461-2156 (Canada)
or at
416-325-8305 (GTA)

Additional Materials Required:

  • Birth Certificate (mandatory)
  • If the child is born in Canada, submit all original birth certificates. If the child does not have a birth certificate, you must obtain one and submit it with the change-of-name submission.
  • If the child is born outside of Canada, submit a photocopy of the original birth certificate, or a photocopy of the certified copy of birth registration from child’s country of birth.

For children born outside of Canada, you are required to submit one of the following (mandatory for children born outside of Canada)

  • Photocopy of Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides), if Canadian Citizen.

or

  • Photocopy of Canadian Permanent Residence Card (both sides), if Permanent Resident.

or

  • Photocopy of Canadian Record of Immigrant Landing, if Landed Immigrant.

Additional Evidence:

  • Court Certified copies of all applicable court orders (Originals will be returned. Court-certified copies will be retained).
  • Photocopies of all previous change of name certificates, where applicable.

18 Years & Older:

Considerations

What part of your name would you like to change?

  • First Name and/or Middle Name(s)
  • Last Name
  • All of the above

Further considerations:

You must show that you have been a resident of Ontario for at least the last 12 months in order to be eligible for changing your name in Ontario, Canada. If not, you cannot change your name in Ontario.

If you have, print the form, complete it and send it to:

Office of the Registrar General
Attention: Change of Name Department
P.O. Box 3000, 189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5W0

Additional Materials Required Include:
If you were born in Canada submit:

  • All original birth certificates or certified copies of birth registrations (long form birth certificates)
  • If you do not have a birth certificate, you must apply for a birth certificate and submit the certificate with the change of name application
  • Photocopies of all change of name certificates if you’ve had your name changed before
  • All court certified-copies of court orders (where applicable)

If you are a Canadian Citizen submit:

  • Photocopy of Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides)
  • Photocopy of original birth certificate or photocopy of certified copy of birth registration from country of birth
  • Photocopies of all change of name certificates if you have changed your name before
  • All court-certified copies of court orders (where applicable)

If you are a Landed Immigrant/Permanent Resident send:

  • Photocopy of Canadian Record of Immigrant Landing/Permanent Resident Card (copy of front and back)
  • Photocopy of original birth certificate or photocopy of certified copy of birth registration from country of birth
  • Photocopies of all change of name certificates if you have changed your name before
  • All court-certified copies of court orders (where applicable)

Contact Numbers
Once again, if you are unsure about how to proceed, or need further assistance, you can call:
Toll-free: 1-800-461-2156 or Great Toronto Area: 416-325-8305

Disclaimer:
The information above is provided as a resource to assist you in researching this matter. The author of this article is in no way affiliated with this site, and the information posted is for reference only. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. For individual advice regarding your own situation you should consult a Lawyer. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.