Changing Your Name After Marriage or Divorce in Ontario

Whether you just got married and want to take your spouse's surname, or your divorce is final and you want your birth name back, changing your name in Ontario is a manageable process — but it involves more steps than most people expect. This guide covers the legal mechanics of changing your name after marriage or divorce in Ontario, what documents you'll need, and the order in which to update everything.

The Legal Framework

Ontario's Change of Name Act governs legal name changes. It distinguishes between two situations:

1. Name change upon marriage — Ontario law permits a person who marries to adopt their spouse's surname, a hyphenated combination of both surnames, or a combination of both surnames in either order, without a formal legal name change application. Your marriage certificate is the authorizing document.

1. All other name changes — including reverting to a birth name after divorce, changing a name for other reasons, or changing a child's name — require a formal application through ServiceOntario under the Change of Name Act.

Changing Your Name After Marriage

After you marry in Ontario, you can begin using your spouse's surname (or a hyphenated version) immediately. You do not need to file any court application. Your marriage certificate is the document that authorizes the change.

What you update first

The order matters, because each document often requires the one before it:

1. Social Insurance Number (SIN) — Service Canada; free to update; your marriage certificate is sufficient.
2. Ontario driver's licence and health card — ServiceOntario; bring your marriage certificate and current photo ID.
3. Passport — Passport Canada; requires your new driver's licence or health card reflecting the new name.
4. Bank accounts and financial institutions — bring your updated government ID.
5. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — update online through My Account or by phone.
6. Your employer's payroll records, professional licences, and any other registrations.

Keep your marriage certificate safe — you'll need it many times over.

Reverting to Your Birth Name After Divorce

If you took your spouse's name when you married, you may want your birth name back after divorce. In Ontario, you do not need a court order to revert to your birth name — but you do need to follow the Change of Name Act process if you want a formal legal change documented and registered by the government.

Option A: Revert using your birth certificate and divorce certificate

Many institutions — including ServiceOntario for your driver's licence and health card — will accept your original birth certificate plus your divorce certificate to change your name back. This is the simplest and cheapest route.

Option B: Formal Change of Name Act application

If you want a Change of Name Certificate issued by ServiceOntario (useful for international use, professional licences, or where institutions won't accept the divorce certificate approach), you can file a formal adult name change application. As of writing, there is an application fee — verify the current amount at ServiceOntario before applying.

The formal application requires:

• Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver's licence)
• Proof of Ontario residency
• The application form
• Payment of the prescribed fee
• A criminal record check (for applicants 18 and older)

Processing takes several weeks. ServiceOntario will mail you a Change of Name Certificate, which then acts as your authorizing document for updating other records.

What About a Name You Used During Marriage That Wasn't Your Legal Name?

Some people used a name during their marriage (such as a partner's name without formal legal change) that was never recorded on their SIN or driver's licence. In that case, you may not need to "change" anything at all — your legal documents already reflect your original name. However, if any document was issued in the informal name, you may need to sort out inconsistencies. A lawyer can help you map out the cleanest path.

After You Get Your Change of Name Certificate: The Full Update Checklist

• SIN record (Service Canada)
• Provincial health card and driver's licence (ServiceOntario)
• Passport (Passport Canada / Global Affairs Canada)
• Bank and investment accounts
• RRSP, TFSA, RESP accounts and beneficiary designations
• Life insurance policies
• Employer HR and payroll records
• CRA My Account and tax filings
• Professional college or licensing body registrations
• Land titles or property registrations (if you own real estate)
• Wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations — these should be reviewed and updated by a lawyer

Frequently asked questions