Name Change Applications
Change your name quickly and easily with Axess Law. No matter the reason, a name change with us is straightforward and affordable.
Name change in Canada
Applying for a name change in Canada is simple and inexpensive. Once your Canadian name change application for Ontario is approved, you get a new birth certificate (if you were born in Ontario). Information about your parents can be added or a certified copy obtained for your use.
And, you receive a certificate showing your previous and new names. You can use the certificate to change your name on your Ontario health card and other personal documents.
How It Works
01
Book Your Appointment
Click on ‘Get Started’ to submit your details. Our client care team will contact you shortly to schedule your appointment.
02
Meet Your Lawyer
Our notary public verifies your identity using a valid government-issued photo ID.
03
Get Your Documents
We verify your signature and put our official seal or stamp on your documents. Our speedy notary services take just 5-10 minutes of your time.
Documents We Need
To notarize a name change application, bring the following to your online video call or in-person appointment with an Axess Law Ontario notary public Wills lawyer:
- Driver’s license
- Canadian passport
- Ontario photo card
- Canadian citizenship card with photo
- PR card with photo
Criminal or police record checks can be requested from your municipal police service or Ontario Provincial Police. Private businesses can also arrange this for you. Search police record checks online to find local services.
A police record check is used to screen people in a position of trust. They include information about applicable criminal convictions and findings of guilt under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Original or replacement birth certificates can be ordered online at Service Ontario. You can apply for yourself (if you are over 13), your children or as a legal guardian. Obtaining a certificate takes about five days by courier or three weeks or more by mail.
Five Ways to Change Your Name
Changing your name when you get married in Ontario is as uncomplicated as assuming your spouse’s last name or hyphenating both your names. No paperwork or legalities. You can simply begin calling yourself by your spouse’s or hyphenated name after your marriage certificate is signed.
Proving Your Identity
Your government-issued marriage certificate and government documents that prove your identity, Canadian citizenship, and Ontario residency can be used to get a new driver’s license and OHIP card. We can help you obtain marriage certificates or other documents you need.
What Changes
Your birth certificate stays the same and only your pre-marital name appears on it. You can sign legal documents with your new last name or use i on official, government-issued documents. Your new driver’s license can be used to update bank accounts or other business documents.
Resuming Your Former Name
You can resume your former surname if you divorce, your marriage is annulled or your spouse dies. Take your new driver’s license, divorce papers, or spouse’s death certificate and any documents you may have, such as a birth certificate with your former surname, to Service Ontario to get your driver’s licence changed back.
Fees
No fees apply, but you may have to pay for a new photo ID or a driver’s license.
If that’s not formal enough for you, you can elect to legally change your surname to your spouse’s. Axess Law helps you complete an Ontario name change application form, called an election to change surname form. Changes apply to men and women. Bring a birth certificate to your appointment.
Fees
Fees are varied.
Legal Requirements to Change Your Name
Married or with a signed joint declaration of conjugal relationship – same-sex couples may also apply (are you cohabitating?)
Notified your partner or spouse of your name change
A satisfactory police record check
When you are recently divorced, had a marriage annulled or your spouse has died, you can voluntarily elect to go back to using your former surname. Name changes are applicable to both men and women. Axess Law gives you an election to resume the former surname form to complete. Bring your final divorce papers or spouse’s death certificate, change of name certificate, and birth certificate to your appointment.
Professionals or anyone can opt for a legal name change for their own or business reasons. We help you complete an application for a name change form. Our notaries witness and sign it in your presence.
Fees
Government fees may apply and vary, depending on why and when you change names.
Legal Requirements to Change Your Name
- 16 or older
- Signed consent from all legal guardians if you are 16 to 17
- Proof you have lived in Ontario for 12 months or more
- A satisfactory police record check
If you want your child to have a new name or the same last name as you, submit an application to change a child’s name. Bring an original or certified copy of their birth certificate, proof of Canadian citizenship, a name change certificate and court-certified copies of court orders. A police record check may be needed. We’ll let you know if it is.
Fees may also apply, for the same reasons.
Publishing Your Name Change
Formal name changes are published in The Ontario Gazette unless:
- You are transgendered, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and ask for your new name not to be published. Submit and complete a downloadable Request for Non-Publication in The Ontario Gazette form, available from Service Ontario, or have a form mailed to you. Phone Service Ontario at 1-800-461-2156 (416-325-8305 in Greater Toronto Area and internationally).
- The Ontario Attorney General certifies the name change is meant to prevent you from being harmed. Contact your municipal police or Ontario Provincial Police if this is the case.
Tips for Name Changes in Ontario
Change the way your name appears on your birth certificate and other ID.
You must be 16 or older
Live in Ontairo at least one year
Use Roman characters like a, b, c
Avoid confusing names
What Our Customers Say About Us
Our experience with Axess Law has always been great! Jaz has been the one helping us with our notary needs and as always, he's prompt and we are in and out in a few minutes! If you need a last minute notary need you should go to axess law because they are reliable and friendly as well!
★★★★★ 5/5
Quick and easy service. Explained the process in simple terms and is really affordable compared to what I thought it might be. I really recommend this to anyone needing Notary Services.
★★★★★ 5/5
I needed to do notary and true copies of several documents and this place is just fantastic! It has really flexible hours and some nice deals for multiple documents that other places don't have. Sonia D. was the one who helped me both times that I went and she was so quick that now I understand the "law made easy" logo, it is true!
★★★★★ 5/5
Had to quickly get some documents notarized and Axess Law provided a seamless virtual customer experience. Highly recommend them!
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Convenient Appointments
Make an appointment by calling +1.877.402.4207 or fill out our online booking form. Axess Law gives you the choice of booking an online or in-person appointment. Our lawyers are available 7 days a week, at times convenient for you. We can meet in person, by phone, email, or via a remote video call. Axess Law has 5 offices located across the Greater Toronto Area – all with onsite parking or easily accessible by public transit.
Some FAQs
Bring your Canadian original or certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate or, for common-law couples, a joint declaration of conjugal relationship form. Proof of Canadian citizenship is required, along with a copy of name change certificates and court-certified copies of court orders.
Name changes must be made to passports too. Unless you update your ID and passport, you may be delayed, not allowed to travel, or prohibited from entering some countries. Ensure travel bookings, hotels, airline or train tickets and your ID match your name on your passport. Axess Law’s remote notary public witness and sign your name change application in minutes. Your completed application with your valid passport is processed by the Canadian government, Office of the Registrar General.
You can:
- change given names by dropping or reversing their order
- add a legal name change to a new or valid passport
- include a new last name from marriage or other relationships
- or add a new last name for adopted children.
Bring a valid passport if you have changed your name because of marriage, civil partnership, or divorce. If your passport is expired, a passport application showing your new name will do. Ensure the ID you provide with your application and proof of citizenship have the name you wish to use. Proof of citizenship must be in your new name if it is updated. Otherwise, bring any current documents with you.
Depending on our situation, you may need a:
- marriage certificate
- common-law relationship certificate
- a court order issued in or outside Canada, such as a:
- separation agreement
- divorce order
- or other judgment
- certificate to dissolve a registered common-law relationship
- or resumption of surname certificate.
English and French versions are required. A guarantor’s signature is not needed.
If you are divorced or widowed or had your marriage annulled, a legal name change certificate, court order, or adoption order verifying you have resumed using your old name is required.