Free guide — BC
How to Change Your Name After Marriage or Divorce in British Columbia (2026)
In British Columbia, most people do not need a formal legal name change after marriage. You can assume your spouse's surname simply by updating your ID with your marriage certificate. This guide covers the order of operations, the rules specific to British Columbia, and a free downloadable checklist.
Assumed surname vs. legal name change
Assumed surname (what most people do): Under the Name Act (s.3), after marriage you may assume your spouse's surname, your birth surname, a prior-marriage surname, or any combination. Update ID with your marriage or birth certificate.
Legal name change (a separate, formal process): A legal name change through Vital Statistics Agency (BC) is required only if you want to change the name on your birth certificate itself, or to adopt a name not covered by the assumed-surname rule.
Order of operations
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.
British Columbia specifics
British Columbia ordering rule
Update MSP (health card) FIRST, then update your ICBC driver's licence after the MSP confirmation letter arrives.
Marriage certificate
Step 2Where to order: Vital Statistics Agency (first copy auto-mailed ~3 weeks after wedding; extras via ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca or mail)
Cost: $27 standard (5 business days) / $60 courier rush
Order additional copies online at ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca or by mail (form VSA 430M).
Order online →Legal name change (if you need one)
Vital Statistics Agency (BC)
VSA 529 / VSA 529_adult
$137 adult (+$27 per dependent child; +$27 search fee if a BC vital event is involved)
Approximately 24 weeks (high volume -- not guaranteed)
BC resident for at least 3 months
19+
Driver's licence — ICBC
Step 4 (before passport)In person at an ICBC driver licensing office. Bring your marriage certificate (not a Statement of Marriage) or divorce/change-of-name certificate plus linking documents. Certified photocopies only.
ICBC →Health card — HIBC / MSP (BC Services Card)
Step 4 (before passport)Update online at my.gov.bc.ca/msp or through HIBC. Wait for MSP confirmation before updating at ICBC.
HIBC / MSP (BC Services Card) →Reverting to a prior name after divorce
If you assumed a name: revert anytime using your marriage certificate and birth certificate. No legal name change is required.
Federal steps (same everywhere)
SIN — Service Canada
FreeUpdating 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.
A name change with Service Canada is NOT automatically shared with CRA or your bank -- update each separately.
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 informationFree download
British Columbia name-change checklist
Who to notify in order -- with British Columbia agency names, what to bring, and the passport dependency.
Free. General information only -- not legal or regulatory advice.
Free. General information only — not legal advice. No account needed.
Common questions
Do I need a legal name change after marriage in British Columbia?▼
Why do I have to update my licence before my passport?▼
How do I revert to my maiden name after divorce in British Columbia?▼
Does my SIN number change when I change my name?▼
Official sources
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/legal-changes-of-name/change-your-name-after-marriage-or-divorce
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/legal-changes-of-name/legal-change-of-name-application
- https://ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca
- https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Change-your-name-or-address
- https://my.gov.bc.ca/msp
- https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/update.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/change-name.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/update-information-cra/personal.html
Data verified 2026-07. Fees and processing times may change — verify with official sources before acting.
Last updated: July 2026
Related guides
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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.
Moving to a New Province
Driver's licence exchange, health card enrollment, re-registration.
Name-change guides for other provinces
Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide is for general information only. Full disclaimer