Free guide — all 13 jurisdictions
How to change your name after marriage or divorce in Canada
Most Canadians do not need a formal legal name change after marriage — you simply update your ID using your marriage certificate. This guide explains exactly what to do, in what order, for every province and territory.
The most important thing to understand
Assumed surname (what most people do): In all 12 common-law provinces and territories, after marriage you may assume your spouse's surname, a hyphenated combination, or revert to your birth name — without any formal legal name change. You just update your ID with your marriage certificate. This does NOT change your birth certificate.
Legal name change (a separate, formal process): Required only if you want to change the name on your birth certificate itself, or to adopt a name not covered by the assume-a-spouse's-surname rule. Involves Vital Statistics (or the courts in Nunavut), fees, and in some provinces, a criminal record check and Gazette publication.
Quebec is a major exception
Under the Civil Code of Québec, marriage does not change your name. Both spouses keep their birth name on all civil and legal documents. There is no assumed surname and nothing to revert after divorce — your legal name is always your birth name. A formal name change through the Directeur de l'état civil requires a “serious reason” and mandatory public notice.
Quebec name change guide →The national order of operations
The sequence matters. Updating provincial ID before the passport is a hard dependency — IRCC requires the submitted provincial ID to already show your new name.
Marry
Officiant registers the marriage with provincial Vital Statistics. This takes a few weeks.
Order your marriage certificate
From the province or territory WHERE you married (not the licence -- the registered certificate issued by Vital Statistics).
Update your SIN (Service Canada)
Free. Can run at the same time as step 4. Your SIN number does not change.
Update provincial driver's licence + health card
Critical: do this BEFORE the passport application. Use your marriage certificate.
Apply for a new passport (IRCC)
Only after provincial ID already shows the new name. Full fee -- no amendment option. Fee as of 2026-03-31: $163.50 (10-yr) / $122.50 (5-yr); indexes annually.
Update CRA, banks, employer
None of these update automatically. CRA: phone (single name) or mail/fax (both names). Banks: online or branch.
Choose your province or territory
Select your province or territory for the full guide: assumed-surname rules, legal name change details, marriage certificate ordering, provincial ID update steps, and a free downloadable checklist.
Federal pieces (same in every province)
SIN — Service Canada (free)
Updating your legal name on your SIN record is required by law. Your SIN number does not change. Bring your marriage certificate (or legal change-of-name certificate/court order) showing both old and new name, plus primary and secondary ID.
Online (~5 business days), by mail (~20 business days), or in person at a Service Canada centre.
canada.ca — SIN updatePassport — IRCC
After provincial IDA name change requires a NEW passport at the full fee -- there is no amendment or reduced rate. Submit your marriage certificate or divorce order / resumption-of-surname certificate / court order.
Your submitted provincial ID must already show the new last name before IRCC will accept the application. Update your driver's licence and health card FIRST.
Fee as of 2026-03-31: $163.50 (10-yr adult) / $122.50 (5-yr adult). Passport fees index annually under the Service Fees Act. Verify the current fee on the IRCC website before applying.
IRCC live fee pageCRA (Canada Revenue Agency)
CRA cannot update a name fully online. Changing a single name (first OR last) can be done by phone. Changing both names requires mail or fax with a vital-statistics name-change certificate or court order.
Recommended: update your SIN first, then call CRA to confirm (SIN may auto-notify CRA). Takes 4-6 weeks.
CRA does not share your name change with other departments. Update banks, employer, and other accounts separately.
CRA — update personal informationRelated guides
Change of Address
Who to notify when you move — free per-province checklist.
Replace Lost Documents
Lost birth certificate, SIN, licence, health card, or passport.
Separation Agreement
Property, support, and parenting when a relationship ends.
When Someone Dies
Administrative checklist after a death, including name updates.
Last updated: July 2026
Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide is for general information only. Full disclaimer