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Personal Appearance Required

Please bring your completed application, along with the appropriate fee and supporting documentation, to:

ServiceOntario
Address: 417, 47th Floor, Sheridan East
T.O., Ont.
M2N 5N1

Cost

$137

Files that will be sent to you

After a name change has been processed and approved, a new legal name certificate is issued. Displaying both your old and new names is standard procedure. This certificate can also be used to update your name on other official records, such as your health insurance card.

A new birth certificate will be issued in the new name for anyone born in Ontario who decides to change their name. Automatically generated birth certificates do not list parents' names or other identifying details. Submit a Request for Birth Certificate form along with the appropriate fee to obtain a certified copy of the birth registration or an original birth certificate listing the parents' names and contact information. Unless you were born in Quebec, you must notify the vital statistics office in the province or territory (other than Quebec) where you were born of your name change. In order to get a replacement birth certificate, you must submit an application to the appropriate registry.

Changing a Child's Name

An individual must meet the following requirements in order to legally change his or her name:

• have been residents of Ontario for the past year, or for life if younger than a year
• be younger than 17
• to not be wed
• If the child is 12 or older, you can change their name with their consent.

There can be no legal restrictions, such as divorce decrees or separation agreements, on the name change.

Every person legally entitled to visitation with the child must be notified in writing of the name change, and all adults with legal custody of the child must give their written consent to the change. To the extent that you are bound by any written legal agreements or court orders (e. g You must submit photocopies of any court orders or agreements (e.g., a separation agreement) that specify custody and/or visitation arrangements, or that deal with the naming of the child.

To ensure that the police department conducting your name change records check does so in accordance with all applicable regulations, you can download the Requirements for a Police Record Check for a Change of Name form. In order to learn more, please review the petition for a name change.

Procedure for Submission

What Should Be Done to Change a Child's Name?

Cost

$137, or
When accompanied by a parent's application for a name change, the fee is only $22.

The Paperwork You'll Get

After the name change is finalized, a new birth certificate will be issued. In addition to your child's new name, it will also list their former name. This certificate can also be used to update other legal identification documents, like a health care card, with your child's new name.

One's Ontario birth certificate will be updated to reflect the new name for anyone born in the province. Parental details are not included on the default birth certificate. A Request for Birth Certificate application and the appropriate fee are required to obtain a copy of the birth registration or a copy of the birth certificate that includes the names of the parents. Name changes are reported to the vital statistics office in the province or territory (other than Quebec) of the person's place of birth. If you need a replacement birth certificate, you must submit an application to the appropriate registry.

Consolidate two names into one

If you or your child's culture has a tradition of using only one name, you can legally change your name to that name.

If you are an Indigenous person applying to change your name to a single name, you may be eligible to have the ServiceOntario fee waived. Research the process of adopting a new Indigenous name.

Procedure for Submission

Get a copy of the Single Name Name Change Request Form and fill it out.

We also require that you complete one of the following applications:

Be sure to read and follow the form instructions thoroughly. All requirements listed on the forms must be met.

When you're ready to apply, you can do so by mail or in person at the 47 Sheppard Avenue East ServiceOntario centre.

Cost

$137, or
When accompanied by a parent's application for a name change, the fee is only $22.

Change of Name Form Instructions

By mail

Please send your application, along with any supporting materials and payment, to:

ServiceOntario

The General Registrar's Department
P O Postal Service Post Office Box 3000189, Red River Road

Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario

In person

Please submit your paperwork, payment (check, money order, or credit card), and supporting documents to:

ServiceOntario
Address: 47 Sheppard Avenue East, 4th Floor Unit 417
In and around Toronto, Ontario
M2N 5N1

Emergency needs

If a person needs a document proving a name change or other information quickly, they may be able to use an expedited service.

Examples of such cases are:

• Intended Adoption Pending
• Successful Completion of Post-secondary Education
• updating a birth certificate with the correct gender
• relating to immigration

Call ServiceOntario at for more details. 1-800-461-2156 or 416-325-8305

Cancellation of a Name Change or Amendment Request

You may cancel your change of name or amendment application and have your birth certificate(s) reissued if you were born in Ontario and have already submitted an application with all previously issued birth certificates to change your name or make other changes.

Any request for a name change or amendment must be made in writing.

Reach out to ServiceOntario for more details:

When a person's name has changed due to a legal proceeding, it is necessary to update birth and marriage records.

Applying to have your new legal name included on your Ontario marriage registration will also have the effect of including your new name on any future marriage certificates you apply for. If one of the parents on the birth certificate has legally changed their name, the certificate can be updated to reflect the new name.

What to do if you want to use

If you have any questions or would like to request a copy of the forms be mailed to you, please get in touch with the Office of the Registrar General.

Mail

ServiceOntario

Register General's Department
P O Postal Stop: Box 3000189, Red River Road

Ontario's Thunder Bay

Telephone

Cost

$0
Name changes through ServiceOntario are free if you qualify. You must pay the appropriate fee if you need a replacement certificate or a certified copy of an existing one.

Note
After changing your name legally, you may be eligible to receive free replacement copies of your birth and marriage certificates. If you are a survivor of a residential school or a family member of a survivor and you have legally changed your name, you may also want to change your name on important government documents like your marriage license or your child's birth certificate. fill out a ServiceOntario Name Change Fee Waiver Application and send it in if you want to avoid paying the agency to change your name and issue new documents.

Adopt a new Indigenous name with meaning

You and your family can reclaim your Indigenous name if you and your children attended a residential school.

If using a single name is a part of your culture or your child's culture, you can make the switch.

From now until March 31, 2024, you can legally change your name without paying a fee.

Non-publication of a name change in The Ontario Gazette is an option for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people who are changing their names. Determine the specifics of the name-change announcement's publication.

Instructions for Submission

The following form must be printed and filled out in order to reclaim an Indigenous name, whether it be a single name or a full family name, at no cost:

Please read the form instructions thoroughly. All requirements listed on the forms must be met.

Mail your completed forms and supporting materials to:

ServiceOntario

Ministry of the Registrar-General
P O Post Office Box 3000189, Red River Road

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Cost

$0
No payment is required if you meet the requirements.

Name change notice published

Except as noted below, the Change of Name Act requires that all name changes registered in Ontario be published in The Ontario Gazette.

1. If the person whose name is being changed is transgender, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and has asked that their new name not be made public, the request will be honored. Applicants for a name change in Ontario can submit their paperwork along with a Request for Non-Publication in The Ontario Gazette. For those who are unable to access the form via download, ServiceOntario can mail you a copy. 1-800-461-2156 outside of Toronto, across the entirety of North America, 416-325-8305 TTY/International Callers Outside the Greater Toronto Area TTY: 416-325-3408
   OR
2. To avoid serious harm, the Attorney General has determined that a name change is necessary. If you live in Ontario and think you might fall under this publication exemption, you should get in touch with the Ontario Provincial Police or your local police department.

There are two current methods of distribution for articles published by The Ontario Gazette: print and online.

Official records that have been translated

We require an English or French translation of any document submitted in support of your application that is not written in English or French. Your application must include the following if you need a translation:

• photocopies of the entire document that needs translating;
• photocopies of the entire translated document; and
• original signed statement from one of the following:
  1. A professional translator who declares (non-sworn) that they are a professional translator, or
  2. Non-professional translator (sworn affidavit before commissioner authorized to administer oaths)

A certified translator's original declaration must include the following information:

• The translator is fluent in both English and French, as well as the original language, and
• The translator believes the translation to be accurate and complete.

The original written declaration of the translator must be included with the translation if it appears on the translated document. No photocopies will be accepted.

The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario has a directory you can use to find a translator.

Estimated Time of Arrival

In 6-8 weeks, we will mail your new birth certificate and name change certificate if your application is complete and correct and you were born in Ontario. If you are requesting a change to a reclaimed name or a single name, the process could take longer.

You can change your name on other forms of official identification (e.g., your driver's license) once you receive your certificate of name change. g permit to drive, health card, and Ontario Photo Card