How to legally change an adult's name in Ontario
Are you considering legally changing your name in Ontario? Whether it's for personal reasons or to align with family changes, the process can seem daunting. However, with the right guidance, it can be a straightforward endeavor. In this post, we'll walk you through the steps required to change an adult’s name in Ontario and how Downtown Notary can help you.
Eligibility Criteria
Before delving into the process, it's crucial to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for a name change in Ontario:
Residency: You must have lived in Ontario for at least the past 12 months
Age: You must be at least 16 years old
Some additional considerations:
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will need consent from every person who has legal custody of you before you can change your name (you must also complete Part 3 of the application)
If you're married or have signed a Joint Declaration of Conjugal Relationship document, you must give your partner/spouse notice that you’re changing your name (you must also complete Part 2 of the Application to Change an Adult’s Name)
Application Process
To initiate the name change process for an adult in Ontario, follow these steps:
Fill Out Forms: Print and complete the Application to Change an Adult’s Name. You can download a the application from the Government of Ontario’s website: Application to Change an Adult’s Name
Complete the Statutory Declaration form: The Application to Change an Adult’sName contains a statutory declaration that must be signed by the person submitting the application in front of a commissioner for taking oaths or a notary public. The notary public then notarizes the statutory declaration.
Submit Documents: Once the forms are completed and the statutory declaration is notarized, submit them along with the required documents and payment to ServiceOntario. This can be done by mail or in person at the designated ServiceOntario center.
Cost: The fee for an adult’s name change application is $137.
For more information on the process for changing an adult’s name in Ontario, visit the Government of Ontario’s website, Change Name.
Documents You'll Receive
Upon approval of the name change application, you'll receive a Change of Name Certificate. This certificate indicates both your previous name and the new name. It can be used to update your name on various personal documents, such as your health card.
Additionally, you will receive a new birth certificate reflecting your new name. This birth certificate does not include parental information. If you require a birth certificate with parental details or a certified copy of the birth registration, you can apply for it separately.
For individuals born outside Ontario, the notice of name change is forwarded to the vital statistics office in the respective province or territory (except Quebec) of birth. You'll need to apply to that office to obtain a new birth certificate.
How Downtown Notary can help
Navigating and completing the application form can be a stressful and daunting process. Downtown Notary helps simplify the application process by providing you with easy and simple notary services so you can complete the statutory declaration quickly and easily - in five minutes or less!
Take action today
If you're in the process of applying to change your name in Ontario and need help with the statutory declaration, book an appointment with Downtown Notary. Our notary appointments ensure that you have a witness for this important part of the name change application. Best of all? You can choose from an in-person or online notary appointment.
Contact Downtown Notary now to schedule your notary appointment and navigate the name change process with confidence!
