Changing your name in Ontario is a legal process that involves several steps, documentation, and approvals. Whether you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, personal preference, or other reasons, this guide will walk you through the process and explain how Notable Notary can help streamline your application.

Types of Name Changes in Ontario

In Ontario, there are different types of name changes:

• Assumed Name Change: Changing your surname after marriage or reverting to a previous name after divorce
• Legal Name Change: A formal application to change your given name or surname for personal reasons
• Child’s Name Change: Changing a minor’s name, which requires parental or guardian consent

Documents Required to Change Your Name in Ontario

To apply for a legal name change, you will need:

• A completed Name Change Application Form
• A government-issued birth certificate (if born in Ontario) or a certified copy of a birth record (if born outside Ontario)
• Proof of residency in Ontario
• Consent forms (if applicable, for minors or spouses)
• A police record check (for applicants over 18)
• Payment for the application fee

Completing Your Ontario Name Change Application

The application process includes:

1. Downloading and filling out the application form from ServiceOntario’s website.
2. Gathering supporting documents, including proof of residency and identity.
3. Obtaining a police record check, if required.
4. Submitting the application by mail to ServiceOntario with the appropriate fee.

Finding a Guarantor for Your Name Change Application

A guarantor is a professional who can verify your identity. Acceptable guarantors include:

• Lawyers or notaries
• Physicians
• Teachers
• Police officers
• Judges or Justices of the Peace

Notable Notary can serve as your guarantor, ensuring your application is verified correctly.

Cost to Change Your Name in Ontario

The government fees for a legal name change are:

• $137 for an adult name change
• $22 for a child’s name change (when done with a parent’s application)
• Additional costs for new birth certificates ($25 per certificate)

Documents You Receive Once Your Name Change is Approved

After approval, you will receive:

• A legal name change certificate
• An updated birth certificate (if born in Ontario)

These documents serve as proof of your new name and will be required to update your identification.

Updating Your Identification After a Name Change

Once your name change is approved, you must update your personal records, including:

• Driver’s License & Health Card – Visit a ServiceOntario location
• Passport – Apply for a new passport through Passport Canada
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) – Update your records with Service Canada
• Banking and Employment Records – Notify your employer and financial institutions
• Utility and Insurance Providers – Update your billing and identification records
  

Name Change in the Ontario Gazette

By law, all legal name changes in Ontario are published in the Ontario Gazette, unless you request an exemption for personal safety reasons.

Steps to Take Once Your Name Change is Approved

1. Receive your legal name change certificate
2. Update all government-issued identification
3. Notify financial institutions, employers, and insurance providers
4. Update memberships and subscriptions
5. Ensure your name change is reflected on your legal and personal records

How Notable Notary Can Help Speed Up Your Name Change

Changing your name is a significant legal process, and ensuring that your documents are properly notarized can help streamline the transition. At Notable Notary, we provide professional notarization services to ensure that your Ontario name change application meets all legal requirements.

• Document Certification: We can certify your documents, making them legally valid for submission
• Guarantor Services: If you need a guarantor, we can verify your application
• Affidavit & Declaration Assistance: Some applications require sworn statements, which we can provide
• Application Review: Avoid delays by having our experts review your application before submission