Changing your name is a process, not a switch.
You can legally change your name in Ontario, but it takes an application, a fee, and weeks of waiting — and it's usually published publicly. Here's how it works, and when you can keep it private.
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In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- There are two routes: assuming a spouse's last name after marriage (no formal application, free) or a formal legal change of name under the Change of Name Act.
- A formal name change costs about $137 and is done through ServiceOntario. It takes weeks to months — it is not instant.
- To apply as an adult, you generally must be 16 or older and have lived in Ontario for at least the past 12 months.
- Name changes are published in The Ontario Gazette. You can ask for non-publication in safety situations, or if you're a trans or Indigenous applicant.
- Changing a child's name usually needs the consent of all parents on the birth registration, and a child 12 or older must agree too.
How the process works
Decide which route fits you
If you just want a spouse's last name after marriage, that's an elective change — no application needed and your birth certificate stays the same. For anything else, you need a formal change of name.
Gather your documents and application
Complete the Application to Change an Adult's Name (or a Child's Name), get the declaration commissioned, and have a guarantor confirm your Ontario residency.
Handle the records check
Applicants 18+ are screened against police records as part of the process. A police record check is required where certain criminal circumstances apply.
Decide about privacy
Your change is normally published in The Ontario Gazette. If publication could put you at risk, or you're a trans or Indigenous applicant, submit a non-publication request with your application.
Update your other ID
Once approved, you'll get a change of name certificate and (if born in Ontario) a new birth certificate. Then update your health card, licence, SIN, and passport. Start a free PLAIN session for help.
What to do next
- Choose between an elective (marriage) or formal name change.
- Confirm you meet the 12-month Ontario residency rule.
- Complete and commission the application and declaration.
- Arrange a guarantor to confirm your residency.
- Prepare for the police records check if 18+.
- Submit a non-publication request if you need privacy.
- Pay the fee (about $137) and submit.
- Update your birth certificate, health card, licence, SIN, and passport.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| I can just start using a new name with no paperwork. | Informal use isn't a legal change. To update your passport, health card, and SIN, you need a formal change of name certificate. |
| Changing my name is instant. | No. It takes weeks to months to process, not days. |
| I don't need any kind of background check. | Adult applicants are screened against police records, and a record check is required where certain criminal circumstances apply. |
| Name changes are completely private. | They're normally published in The Ontario Gazette. Non-publication is available in safety situations and for trans and Indigenous applicants. |
| A married person must take their spouse's name. | No. Assuming a spouse's surname is entirely optional, and you can keep your own name. |
| I can change my child's name without the other parent's consent. | Usually no. All parents on the birth registration must consent, and anyone with access must be notified. |
| Changing my name automatically updates all my ID. | No. You have to separately update your health card, licence, SIN, passport, and other documents yourself. |
| It's free to change my name. | A formal change costs about $137. Only assuming a spouse's surname after marriage is free. |
Last reviewed June 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with a licensed professional.
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