Name Change in Quebec (2026)
This page is the free Quebec guide. No sign-in. Read on, or take the checklist as a PDF.
Facts checked July 2026 · See what changed · How we check
Marriage does not change your name in Quebec. Under the Civil Code of Quebec, both spouses keep their birth name on all civil and legal documents. Here is what that means in practice, and what a formal name change actually requires.
Four questions about your name change
Answer these and the checklist below drops the steps that do not apply to you. Every answer stays in your browser.
Why is your name changing?
Have you already ordered your marriage certificate?
Do you hold a driver's licence in this province?
Do you have a health card in this province?
How your answers are used
1
Quebec: marriage does NOT change your name
Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionSource: etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca, Change of nameUnder Article 393 of the Civil Code of Québec, each spouse retains their name in marriage and exercises their civil rights under that name. This means your driver's licence, health card, SIN, passport, and all official documents continue to show your birth name after marriage, automatically, with nothing to update.
Adopting a spouse's surname is permitted “only in an exceptional situation,” authorized by the Directeur de l'état civil.
There is also nothing to revert after divorce. Because your name was never changed by the marriage, your legal name (birth name) is unchanged throughout.
2
Quebec specifics
Open this section ↓Marriage certificate
Step 2Where to order: Directeur de l'état civil: DEClic! online portal
Cost: Certificate online: $38.50 standard / $75.00 rush. Copy of act: $46.75 / $75.00, through 2027-03-31
In Quebec the marriage certificate does not change your legal name. It is used to notify RAMQ of your civil-status change (relevant for drug-plan coverage).
Order online →Legal name change (DEC: exceptional situations)
AgencyDirecteur de l'état civil (DEC)
FormPreliminary-analysis form, then full package (from DEC)
Fee$164.00 (surname or given-name change for one person, includes first certificate; child add-on $33.75; extra certificate $13.50, in effect through 2027-03-31)
Processing timeApproximately 90 business days from first publication; effective 30 days after that
ResidencyDomiciled in Quebec for at least 1 year
Min. age14+
Official page →Criminal record check: Not requiredGazette publication: RequiredDriver's licence: SAAQ
Your SAAQ licence shows your birth name. It only changes after a DEC change-of-name certificate is issued.
SAAQ →Health card: RAMQ
On a formal DEC name change, the DEC automatically forwards to RAMQ and Retraite Quebec. On marriage (no name change), notify RAMQ of your civil-status change for drug-plan coverage purposes.
RAMQ →3
If you do need a legal name change (exceptional cases)
Open this section ↓DEC process
A formal name change in Quebec requires demonstrating a “serious reason” to the Directeur de l'état civil. The process: submit a preliminary-analysis form, then the full application package. There is a mandatory public notice posted for 15 days, then publication. After publication, the change is effective 30 days later.
Fee (through 2027-03-31):$164.00 (surname or given-name change for one person, includes first certificate; child add-on $33.75; extra certificate $13.50, in effect through 2027-03-31)
Processing time:Approximately 90 business days from first publication; effective 30 days after that
Min. age:14+
Residency:Domiciled in Quebec for at least 1 year
Criminal record check: not required. Public notice: mandatory (exemptions possible; the Directeur de l'état civil sets the notice rules).
etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca: Change of name →SAAQ and RAMQ after a DEC name change
Your SAAQ licence shows your birth name. It only changes after a DEC change-of-name certificate is issued.
On a formal DEC name change, the DEC automatically forwards to RAMQ and Retraite Quebec. On marriage (no name change), notify RAMQ of your civil-status change for drug-plan coverage purposes.
A name change on a passport is a full new adult application with extra documents; there is no simplified path. The passport guide: name changes →
Marriage certificate (civil status change, not a name change)
In Quebec the marriage certificate does not change your legal name. It is used to notify RAMQ of your civil-status change (relevant for drug-plan coverage).
Cost: Certificate online: $38.50 standard / $75.00 rush. Copy of act: $46.75 / $75.00, through 2027-03-31
DEClic! online portal →4
Quebec name-change checklist
Open this section ↓Free download
Who to notify after a DEC legal name change in Quebec, with agency names and what to bring.
Free. General information only, not legal or regulatory advice.
Keep it with the rest. This one files behind tab 1 of the Home File.
Free. General information only, not legal advice. No account needed.
5
Common questions
Does marriage change my name in Quebec?Open this section ↓Does marriage change my name in Quebec?▼
No. Under the Civil Code of Québec, marriage does not change your name. Both spouses keep their birth name on all documents. Your driver's licence, health card, SIN, and passport continue to show your birth name after marriage.Is there anything to revert after divorce in Quebec?▼
No. Because marriage never changed your legal name in Quebec, there is nothing to revert. Your birth name remains on all documents throughout marriage and after divorce.Can I take my spouse's name in Quebec at all?▼
Only in exceptional situations, with authorization from the Directeur de l’état civil. You must demonstrate a “serious reason,” meet the 1-year domicile requirement, and go through mandatory public notice. It is a formal, multi-month process, not an automatic right as in other provinces.6
Official sources
Open this section ↓- https://www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/en/change-name.html
- https://www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/en/certificate-copy/processing-time.html
- https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/correcting-information
- https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance/replace-correct-card
- 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
Fees and processing times may change: verify with official sources before acting.
Facts checked July 2026
↑ Close this section7
Related guides
Open this section ↓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.
Moving to a New Province
Driver's licence exchange, health card enrollment, re-registration.
Marriage Licence
The paperwork before the wedding: fee, validity, and who must appear.
Informational guide only. Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide explains the typical process and is not legal advice. Requirements can change. Verify current rules with the relevant government authority or a qualified professional before you act.
Name-change guides for other provinces
Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide is for general information only. Full disclaimer