Free guide — NU
How to Change Your Name After Marriage or Divorce in Nunavut (2026)
In Nunavut, 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 Nunavut, and a free downloadable checklist.
Assumed surname vs. legal name change
Assumed surname (what most people do): Your marriage certificate is used to change your surname to that of your spouse or to adopt a hyphenated surname. Update your ID with the marriage certificate.
Legal name change (a separate, formal process): A legal name change through Nunavut Court of Justice (Civil Clerk, Iqaluit) 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.
Nunavut specifics
Marriage certificate
Step 2Where to order: Nunavut Vital Statistics, Dept. of Health (Rankin Inlet) -- by mail
Cost: $10
No online ordering. Mail your application. Only marriages registered from April 1, 1999 onward are on file.
Legal name change (if you need one)
Nunavut Court of Justice (Civil Clerk, Iqaluit)
FORM 1 (adult 19+, or under-19 if married), sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths
$10 court filing fee (Vital Statistics may charge separately to issue the amended certificate -- check with the court)
Not stated -- check with the agency
Nunavut resident for at least 1 year
19+ (or younger if married)
Driver's licence — Nunavut Motor Vehicles (EDT)
Step 4 (before passport)Document requirements for a name change are not published online. Contact Motor Vehicles directly at 1-888-975-5999.
Nunavut Motor Vehicles (EDT) →Health card — Nunavut Health Care Plan
Step 4 (before passport)Complete the "Application for Change of Personal Information" form. Send copies of supporting documents to nhip@gov.nu.ca or by mail.
Nunavut Health Care Plan →Reverting to a prior name after divorce
There is no Nunavut-specific page for reverting after divorce. You can generally revert an assumed name using your marriage and divorce documents -- check with the Nunavut Court of Justice for current requirements.
Note: no dedicated official page confirms this for Nunavut — confirm with your provincial Vital Statistics office.
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
Nunavut name-change checklist
Who to notify in order -- with Nunavut 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 Nunavut?▼
Why do I have to update my licence before my passport?▼
How do I revert to my maiden name after divorce in Nunavut?▼
Does my SIN number change when I change my name?▼
Official sources
- https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/marriage-certificate
- https://www.nunavutcourts.ca/index.php/change-of-name
- https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/service-nunavut/apply-drivers-licence
- https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavut-health-care-plan-updating-your-information
- 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.
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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