Name change
after marriage

Our kit provides all the necessary paperwork with easy instructions to save you hours changing your name.

How to change names after marriage

Congratulations! You’re married and have decided to take your spouse’s surname! The not-so-great news… it can take many weeks or even months to get all your accounts and records changed over to your new name when you do it yourself.

Our service saves WEEKS of hassle! No need to contact each company to verify processes! You’ll save 8 hours finding forms, writing letters and drafting emails!

Even better – you only need your marriage certificate to get started! Simply attach to our personalized notifications and send!

Check our marriage name change knowledge centre below!

The easy way: Use our name change notification kit to get personalized and ready to send name change notifications for your companies. In most cases you can attach your marriage certificate and send! There’s also going to be places where you need to log in to your account, visit a branch or call. Our company checklist explains each company’s process so you don’t waste time researching. 

Start here

The hard way: Yep. More lists. Start by doing an audit of all the places you may need to notify. This could be anywhere from 8 to over 50. Contact each one or research online to get their name change procedure.

Note all the requirements in your checklist – post and email addresses, proof documents, links to forms, important URLs, office opening hours and the steps.

Next, get busy writing letters and emails, completing forms and hammering the photocopier. Allow 20 minutes per company. If you have 25 companies then that’s 8 hours you could have saved with an Easy Name Change kit.

No matter which way you go, larger banks and driver’s licenses need to be visited in person. For the rest, simply follow our researched instructions and send off your forms, letters and emails!

The good news is that there’s no separate name change application! Your marriage certificate lets you take your spouse’s surname. Your spouse’s surname can appear in addition to your current surname (eg: Jones-Smith) or in place of your current surname. Apply to Vital Statistics for the official marriage certificate, which is needed by almost all organizations. A small number of places may also ask for government-issued photo ID.

Each of our name change forms, letters and emails lists exactly what proof is required by each organization, so you don’t need to waste time on hold.

Note for BC residents. This is the only province where the official marriage certificate is automatically sent to newlyweds. They are also unable to request a joint surname (Jones-Smith) from marriage. Joint surnames in BC require a legal name change application.

It’s recommended you apply for provincial identification first. Update your health card and driver’s license. Some provinces have special forms, others need you to send a letter or visit an office in person. We list the requirements for your province and include all forms and instructions.

Your passport can only be updated after you have provincial identification issued in your new name. Be sure to complete any travel booked in your former name first!

A small number of organizations want to see updated photo ID before changing your account, but for most companies, it does not matter what order your records are updated in. If you choose any companies from our database which have prerequisite documents we list it in your company instructions so you won’t have your name change rejected.

Aside from BC and Quebec, all provinces and territories allow the following name changes when you have an official marriage certificate:

  • You can drop your surname and take your spouse’s.
  • You can add your spouse’s surname to your own. Names can appear in either order and can be separated by either a space or a hyphen.

A legal name change is required for:

  • Moving your birth surname to become a middle surname.
  • Making any changes whatsoever to your given name/s.
  • In BC, adding your spouse’s surname to your own surname (OK in all other provinces)
  • Taking a surname other than yours or your spouse’s current legal surname.
  • Blending a part of each surname together to make a new name.

If you are in Quebec, apply to Vital Statistics for permission for any kind of name change, as it would only be granted in exceptional circumstances. 

Most companies won’t confirm your name was changed. Check that your new name appears when you next log into your account or receive correspondence. Most companies update your name within a few days of receiving your request, but some can take weeks (passport) or months (replacement Canadian citizenship certificate).

SAVE 8 HOURS

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Our kit suits all name change reasons!
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PRINTED & POSTED KIT

$ 79
  • Priority printed and posted to your door
  • Handy folder & all envelopes
  • Ready to send forms & letters
  • Ready to forward emails
  • Personalized checklist & guide
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PRINT AT HOME KIT

$ 39
  • Priority printed and posted to your door
  • Handy folder & all envelopes
  • Ready to send forms & letters
  • Ready to forward emails
  • Personalized checklist & guide
  • Instant download
  • Money back guarantee

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INFORMATION HUB

Marriage Name Change

All you need is your marriage certificate. Some places must be updated in person, some need you to send a request in writing. We explain what to send where! 

Read how to change names after marriage

No matter where you were married, start by applying to your provincial authorities. Check our guide for married name change in your province!

ON married name change 

BC married name change

It’s not always as black and white as your surname or your spouse’s surname. You have a few more options. The same name change options are available to either spouse. 

What are my married name options?

Religious vs government marriage certificate? You may need to order your official certificate from Vital Statistics as not all organizations accept a religious certificate.

How can I order/reorder my marriage certificate?

Order your wedding certificate 1 to 2 weeks after the wedding, which allows time for the person who conducted the ceremony to file the completed wedding licence with your province Vital Statistics office. BC newlyweds automatically receive their wedding certificates. See our provincial guides to order your certificate.

ON marriage certificate       BC marriage certificate  

MB marriage certificate       NS marriage certificate

You’ve lived with this name your entire life and not ready to let go yet! You’ve got clients, friends and a reputation with this name. Is it OK to keep your former name in some places and use your married name in others? 

Can I change names but still use my maiden name at work?

There’s no credit provided for time remaining in your passport. Ensure all pending travel is completed, even if it means your passport is updated months after all your other records. 

How do I update my passport after marriage?

Foreign-issued marriage certificates are accepted if issued by a government authority. They must be in English or French or else have a translation.

How do I change names if I was married overseas?

Want to do your own name change research and paperwork? Create your beautiful & personalized married name change checklist with each company separately listed. We have companies you haven’t even thought about!

Access our FREE custom married name change checklist here!