Changing Your Name

The process for legally changing a name is an extensive one. A person’s name is his/her identity and changes to a name must be recorded accurately and securely to safeguard against identity fraud.

To help you determine the type of form that is appropriate for your situation, please review the details for each of the types of names changes below and click on the one that applies to you.

1. Formal Name Change – Adult (16 and older)

• 16 years of age or older
• Lived in Ontario for one year prior to submitting this application

If these two points apply to your request, click here to find out more about Formal Name Change - Adult.

2. Formal Name Change - Child (under 18)

• Under 18 years of age
• Lived in Ontario for one year prior to submitting this application

If these two points apply to your request, click here to find out more about Formal Name Change - Child.

3. Election to Change the Name of a Child under the age of 12

There is a less expensive way to change a child's name if certain requirements are met.

• Under the age of 12
• Born in Ontario
• Changing a first or middle name and/or changing a last name to that of one of the parents listed on the child's birth registration.

If these three points apply to your request, click here to find out more about Election to Change the Name of a Child under the age of 12.

4. Changing Your Name to a Spouse’s or Partner’s Surname or Changing It Back 

There are two ways to change your name:

i. Assuming and unassuming a name due to marriage

• Want to change your surname as a result of marriage or conjugal relationship (common-law or same-sex marriage)
  
                                       or
• Change your surname as a result of separation or divorce

If this applies to your request, click here to find out more about Assuming/Unassuming a Name.

ii. Election to change surname

• If born in Ontario, want to change the surname on your birth certificate
• Married in Ontario, or reside in Ontario, or born in Ontario
• Want to change your surname in one of the following ways:
  1) to a surname the spouse had immediately before marriage
  2) to a surname consisting of both spouses surnames immediately before their marriage, hyphenated or combined
• Have previously completed an Election to Change Surname form and wish to return to the surname immediately before the marriage or conjugal relationship (common law)

If any or all of the points above apply to your request, click here to find out more about an Election to Change Surname.

If your circumstances do not fit the requirements noted for the above forms, and you wish to change your name, or correct/change information on an Ontario birth, marriage or death registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar General toll free at 1-800-461-2156 or in Toronto at 416-325-8305.

To learn more, consult our frequently asked questions.

Note: The Change of Name Act requires that all formal and elective name changes, registered under the Act, be published in the Ontario Gazette, unless the Attorney General certifies that the change of name is intended to prevent significant harm to the individual, or if a person requests that his or her name change not be published because he or she is transgendered at the time of the application. The Ontario Gazette currently publishes information in paper format and electronically on the internet.