How to Change Your Name With the CRA After Marriage or a Legal Name Change
Learn how to update your first name, last name or both names with the Canada Revenue Agency after marriage or a legal name change, including when you can call, when documents are required, mail or fax processing times and what to update separately.
CA Canada
Documents & Identity ~ 10 min read
14 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-27
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The CRA does not accept name changes online. If you are changing only your first name or only your last name and you have not previously changed one of your names with the CRA, you can usually make the change by phone and the CRA lists the processing time as immediate. If you have already changed one of your names, or you are changing both your first and last name, you must send or fax a signed letter to your CRA tax centre. For a documented change, the CRA requires an original or certified true copy of either a provincial or territorial name change certificate or a court order issued under a change-of-name law, together with your old and new names, Social Insurance Number and signature. Mail or fax changes take about 4 to 6 weeks after the CRA receives the documents.
What you need
- Your Social Insurance Number.
- Your current full name and new name.
- If calling, your date of birth, complete address and information from an assessed tax return, notice of assessment or reassessment, or another tax document so the CRA can verify your identity.
- If you have already changed one of your names, an original or certified true copy of a provincial or territorial name change certificate or a court order issued under a change-of-name law.
- If changing both your first and last name, an original or certified true copy of one of the CRA-accepted legal name-change documents.
- For a mail or fax request, a signed letter containing your old name, new name, Social Insurance Number and signature.
- The correct CRA tax centre for your correspondence.
Eligibility
You should notify the Canada Revenue Agency as soon as possible after your name changes so that the name on your CRA records matches the name you use for tax and benefit purposes.
If you are changing only your first name or only your last name, the CRA allows a change by phone if you have not already changed one of your names with the CRA. For example, if you previously changed your first name, you cannot later change your last name by phone.
If you are changing back to your birth name and the CRA already has that birth name on file, the CRA allows the change by phone without documentation.
If you have already changed your name, documentation is required for a further name change. If you are changing both your first name and last name, the change must be made by mail or fax.
How to do it
- Decide whether you are changing only your first name, only your last name, or both names.
- If you are changing only one name and have not previously changed one of your names with the CRA, contact the CRA by phone. Have your SIN, full name, date of birth, complete address and information from a tax document ready for identity verification.
- If you are changing back to a birth name already on the CRA's records, ask for the change by phone. The CRA states that documentation is not required in this situation.
- If you have already changed one of your names, prepare an original or certified true copy of an accepted name-change document.
- If you are changing both your first and last name, prepare the required documentation and use mail or fax rather than phone.
- Write a signed letter stating your old name, new name and Social Insurance Number.
- Attach or include the required original or certified true copy of the name change certificate or court order when documentation is required.
- Send or fax the request to your CRA tax centre.
- Allow about 4 to 6 weeks after the CRA receives the documents for a mail or fax change.
- Update your name separately with other government departments and agencies because the CRA generally does not share your name change with them.
Can you change your name with the CRA online?
No. The Canada Revenue Agency states that it does not accept personal name changes online. Even if you have a CRA account, you cannot use the online Profile section to replace your first name or last name.
The correct method depends on whether you are changing one part of your name or both your first and last name, and whether you have already made a previous name change with the CRA.
How to change your last name with the CRA after marriage
If marriage results in you using a different last name and you are changing only your last name with the CRA, you may be able to make the update by phone if you have not previously changed one of your names with the CRA.
The CRA's rule is based on how many parts of your name are being changed and whether you have previously changed one of your names. It does not provide a separate online name-change process for marriage.
If you are required to use the mail or fax process, use only the supporting documents accepted by the CRA for that process. The CRA currently lists a provincial or territorial name change certificate or a court order issued under a change-of-name law as acceptable documentation.
When can you change your CRA name by phone?
You can change either your first name or your last name by phone if you have not already changed one of your names with the CRA.
For example, if you previously changed your first name, the CRA says you cannot later change your last name by phone. You would need to use the documented mail or fax procedure instead.
The CRA lists the processing time for an eligible phone name change as immediate.
What information do you need before calling?
Have the following information available so the CRA can verify your identity:
- your Social Insurance Number;
- your full name;
- your date of birth;
- your complete address;
- an assessed tax return, notice of assessment or reassessment, or another tax document.
You can also sign in to your CRA account before calling so you can access your tax information during the identity-verification process.
Can you change back to your birth name by phone?
Yes, in a specific situation. If you are changing back to your birth name and the CRA already has that name on file, the CRA states that you can make the change by phone and documentation is not required.
This exception is useful after a separation, divorce or another personal change when you return to a birth name that the CRA previously recorded.
When do you need documents to change your name with the CRA?
You must provide documentation if you have already changed your name and need to make another name change.
The CRA accepts an original or certified true copy of one of the following:
- a name change certificate issued by a provincial or territorial vital statistics department;
- a court order issued under an act on change of name.
Do not assume that another identity document automatically replaces these requirements. Follow the current CRA name-change instructions for the type of change you are making.
How to change both your first and last name with the CRA
If both your first name and your last name are changing, the CRA requires the change to be made by mail or fax. It cannot be completed by phone or online.
Send or fax a signed letter to your tax centre containing:
- an original or certified true copy of a provincial or territorial name change certificate or qualifying court order;
- your old name;
- your new name;
- your Social Insurance Number;
- your signature.
How to change your name by mail or fax
Prepare a letter addressed to your CRA tax centre. Clearly identify the old name held on your CRA account and the new name you want recorded.
Include your SIN and signature. When documentation is required, provide the original or a certified true copy of one of the legal documents accepted by the CRA.
Use the Government of Canada's CRA address finder to identify the tax centre and current mailing or fax details that apply to your correspondence. Using the current official address finder avoids relying on an outdated address or fax number.
How long does a CRA name change take?
| Method | Who can use it | CRA processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Eligible change to either first name or last name when you have not already changed one of your names | Immediate |
| Phone for return to birth name | When the CRA already has the birth name on file | Immediate |
| Mail or fax | Required documented changes and changes to both first and last name | 4 to 6 weeks after the CRA receives the documents |
Does the CRA charge a fee to change your name?
The CRA does not list a fee for updating the name on your personal tax account.
Separate fees may exist outside the CRA if you need to obtain a legal name-change certificate, court order or certified copy. Those fees are set by the provincial, territorial or other authority involved and are outside this federal CRA procedure.
Should you update your CRA name before filing your tax return?
Yes. The CRA advises people to update their personal information when it changes. CRA tax guidance also states that the name entered on a tax return must match the information held in CRA records.
If you use certified tax software, simply typing a new name into the software does not update the CRA's name record. Complete the CRA name-change process first.
Incorrect or inconsistent personal information can contribute to processing delays or problems matching your return to your CRA account.
Do you also need to change your marital status with the CRA?
A name change and a marital-status change are separate updates.
If you got married, became common-law, separated, became divorced or became widowed, you may also need to update your marital status with the CRA under the separate marital-status procedure. Updating your name does not by itself complete that change.
Marital status can affect the calculation of some benefits and credits, so do not assume that reporting a new surname also reports your marriage.
Does changing your name with the CRA update other government records?
No, generally not. The CRA states that it will not share your name change with other government departments. You need to update your name separately with the organizations that provide services or documents to you.
The CRA identifies one limited exception: information may be shared with Elections Canada if you authorized the CRA to share information with Elections Canada on your tax return.
Do you need to update your Social Insurance Number record separately?
The CRA name-change process updates the name associated with your CRA tax records. It should not be treated as a universal name-change request for every federal program or identity record.
If another federal department or agency maintains a separate record for you, follow that department's own name-change procedure. The CRA specifically states that it does not generally share name changes with other government departments.
Can someone else call the CRA to change your name?
Another person can call about your name change only in the situations permitted by the CRA.
The CRA says this is allowed when:
- you are present on the call, verify your identity in English or French and provide verbal authorization for the other person to speak for you; or
- the caller is your legal representative with full legal authority to act as you.
An ordinary family relationship does not by itself give another person authority to change your CRA identity information.
What if your tax return still shows your old name?
If your return has not yet been filed, update your name with the CRA first and then use the name that matches the CRA's records when preparing the return.
If you have already filed, do not create a second tax return solely to report a name change. Follow the CRA's name-change procedure instead.
CRA name change checklist
- Confirm whether you are changing your first name, last name or both.
- Check whether you have previously changed one of your names with the CRA.
- If eligible for a phone change, gather your SIN, date of birth, address and tax information for identity verification.
- If documentation is required, obtain an original or certified true copy of the accepted legal name-change document.
- For mail or fax, write your old name, new name and SIN and sign the letter.
- Use the CRA address finder to identify the correct tax centre.
- Allow 4 to 6 weeks for a mail or fax request after the CRA receives it.
- Use your updated CRA name when filing your tax return.
- Update your marital status separately if it has also changed.
- Notify other government departments separately because the CRA generally does not share your name change with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my last name with the CRA after getting married?
Yes. If you are changing only your last name and have not previously changed one of your names with the CRA, you may be able to make the change by phone. If you have already made a previous name change with the CRA, use the documented mail or fax process.
Can I change my CRA name online?
No. The CRA states that personal name changes are not accepted online.
Can I change my name with the CRA by phone?
You can change either your first name or your last name by phone if you have not already changed one of your names with the CRA. The CRA lists the processing time for an eligible phone change as immediate.
What documents does the CRA require for a legal name change?
When documentation is required, the CRA accepts an original or certified true copy of either a name change certificate from a provincial or territorial vital statistics department or a court order issued under a change-of-name law.
Do I need a marriage certificate to change my name with the CRA?
The CRA's current documented mail and fax instructions list a provincial or territorial name change certificate or a court order as the accepted supporting documents. If you are only changing your last name and qualify for the phone method, the CRA's phone procedure does not require you to mail those documents.
How do I change both my first and last name with the CRA?
A change to both your first and last name must be made by mail or fax. Send a signed letter to your CRA tax centre with your old and new names, SIN and an original or certified true copy of an accepted name-change certificate or court order.
How long does a CRA name change take?
An eligible phone change is listed as immediate. A name change submitted by mail or fax takes about 4 to 6 weeks after the CRA receives your documents.
Can I change back to my birth name with the CRA?
Yes. If you are returning to your birth name and the CRA already has that name on file, the CRA says you can change it by phone without documentation.
What information do I need when calling the CRA about a name change?
Have your SIN, full name, date of birth, complete address and information from an assessed tax return, notice of assessment or reassessment, or another tax document available for identity verification.
Can I just enter my new name when filing my tax return?
No. CRA guidance says your name on the return must match the name in CRA records. Entering a different name in certified tax software does not by itself update your CRA name.
Does changing my name with the CRA also update my marital status?
No. Name and marital-status changes are separate CRA updates. If your marital status has changed, report that separately using the CRA's marital-status procedure.
Will the CRA tell other government departments about my new name?
Generally no. The CRA says it will not share your name change with other government departments, so you must update those organizations separately. The CRA notes an exception where you authorized information sharing with Elections Canada on your tax return.
Can my spouse call the CRA and change my name for me?
Not automatically. Another person may speak on your behalf if you are present on the call, verify your identity and provide verbal authorization, or if that person is your legal representative with full legal authority to act for you.
Is there a fee to change my name with the CRA?
The CRA does not list a fee for updating the name on your tax account. Separate provincial, territorial or legal-document fees may apply if you need to obtain or certify supporting documents.
Official sources
Change your name - Update your personal information with the CRAUpdate your personal information with the CRAContact the Canada Revenue AgencyFind a CRA addressCompleting a basic tax return - Providing your personal informationPersonal and address informationChange your marital status - Update your personal information with the CRARelated procedures
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