Provincial or territorial service · Identity and documents
Legally change your name
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
A legal name change is made through the vital statistics office of your province or territory. Taking a spouse's name after marriage usually does not need one.
Who handles it
Each province and territory runs its own. Find yours in the table below.
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
In every province and territory
Who handles it in each province and territory, with the official link.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia) | Apply to change your namechecked | Applicants 12 and older need a criminal record check done within 30 days before applying. |
| Alberta | Alberta registry agents (Vital Statistics, Government of Alberta) | How to applychecked | Apply in person at a registry agent with electronic fingerprints and a criminal record check. |
| Saskatchewan | eHealth Saskatchewan (Vital Statistics) | Apply for a legal name changechecked | Taking a spouse's surname after marriage does not need a legal name change. |
| Manitoba | Vital Statistics Branch (Government of Manitoba) | Legal change of namechecked | Apply by mail or in person by appointment; adults also need a certified criminal record check. |
| Ontario | ServiceOntario (Office of the Registrar General) | Apply to change your namechecked | |
| Quebec | Directeur de l'état civil | How to change your namechecked | You must have lived in Québec for at least one year and show a serious reason. |
| New Brunswick | Vital Statistics (Service New Brunswick) | How to change your namechecked | Apply by mail using the application booklet on this page; there is no online application. |
| Nova Scotia | Vital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia) | Change your legal namechecked | |
| Prince Edward Island | Vital Statistics (Government of PEI) | None on record | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Vital Statistics Division (Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) | How to change your namechecked | Paper application with a criminal record check; no online option. |
| Yukon | Vital Statistics (Government of Yukon) | None on record | You must be a Yukon resident to change your name in the Yukon. |
| Northwest Territories | Registrar General of Vital Statistics (Department of Health and Social Services) | How to change your namechecked | |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Vital Statistics (Department of Health) | None on record | Contact Nunavut Vital Statistics at 1-800-661-0833 or nuvitalstatistics@gov.nu.ca for the application. |
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Legally change your name", checked 12 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/name-change