Changing your last name (just married)

name tag stickerWhen you get married, you don’t have to legally change your last name (surname). You can change your last name to your spouse’s last name, or you can combine both of your last names into a hyphenated last name. 

To change your last name, you will need:

  • Your marriage certificate
  • Your current photo health card and/or driver’s licence
  • If you do not have a photo health card, you must also bring three original documents to prove your Canadian citizenship, that you are an Ontario residence and to prove your personal identity

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What you need to know

When you get married, you don’t have to legally change your last name (surname). You can change your last name to your spouse’s last name, or you can combine both of your last names into a hyphenated last name.

This process does not change your last name on your Ontario birth certificate.

Even if you were married outside of Ontario, you just need your marriage certificate as proof of marriage along with your personal identification. All documents must be translated to French or English by an accredited translator in Canada.

Delivery

4 to 6 weeks to deliver your new health card and driver’s licence by mail.

Cost

  • Changing your last name: Free
  • Legal last name change within 90 days of the marriage: Free
  • Legal last name change after 90 days of marriage: $25

How do I

Updated: March 7, 2013