How to Update Your Social Insurance Number Record After a Name or Status Change

When must you update your SIN record?

Service Canada requires you to update your Social Insurance Number record when your legal name changes. You should also request an update when your immigration status changes, your temporary SIN needs an expiry extension, your recorded information is incorrect or you want to update certain personal information.

The responsible authority is the Service Canada Social Insurance Number Program. You can submit an update online, by mail or in person. There is no application fee.

Start with the official Update your Social Insurance Number record service. Its interactive document selector identifies the requirements for your immigration or citizenship status and submission method.

A routine address change does not require updating your SIN record unless you are waiting to receive a Confirmation of SIN letter by mail.

Which changes should you report to Service Canada?

The correct action depends on what changed. Updating a SIN record does not always mean receiving a different nine-digit number.

Service Canada also allows eligible people registered under the Indian Act to add registration information to their SIN record. Specific supporting documents apply.

How do you update your SIN after changing your name?

If your legal name changes because of marriage, divorce, a legal name change or another recognized reason, apply to update your SIN record within 60 days of the name change.

You need an acceptable primary identity document, a valid secondary identity document and a legal supporting document that connects your previous name to your current legal name.

Which name-change documents are accepted?

Depending on your circumstances, Service Canada may accept:

• A marriage certificate or other qualifying marriage document.
• A divorce decree, certificate of divorce or decree absolute issued under applicable legislation.
• A legal change of name certificate or court order.
• A certified Canadian court adoption order.
• Other qualifying adoption or immigration amendment records.

The supporting document must establish the connection between the name on your primary identity document and your current legal name. If you changed your name more than once, provide documents showing each change.

There is an important Quebec exception: marriage documentation is not accepted for the specified surname-change purpose for Quebec residents married after April 1, 1981, regardless of where the marriage took place.

Review the official SIN required documents list before submitting.

What if your birth certificate still shows your previous name?

Service Canada normally records the name appearing on your primary identity document unless acceptable supporting documentation establishes your current legal name.

For example, someone whose birth certificate shows their birth surname but who now uses a legally recognized married surname should provide the required identity documents and an acceptable marriage document linking the names.

If the primary document itself contains an error, contact the authority that issued it before applying to correct your SIN record. A SIN application does not correct an inaccurate birth certificate or immigration document.

How do you renew or extend a 9-series SIN?

A Social Insurance Number beginning with 9 is issued to eligible temporary residents and has an expiry date linked to the immigration document authorizing work in Canada.

If your work permit or another qualifying immigration document has been extended, apply to Service Canada to update the SIN expiry date. The expiry date on your SIN record must match the relevant immigration document.

Service Canada requires an acceptable document, such as:

• A work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• A study permit explicitly authorizing employment in Canada.
• A visitor record explicitly authorizing employment in Canada.
• Other qualifying work authorization documentation identified by Service Canada.

A study permit or visitor record that does not establish authorization to work is not automatically sufficient. Contact IRCC if the document does not correctly reflect your work authorization.

Can you keep working if your SIN expires while IRCC processes your permit?

Some temporary residents can continue working under the same conditions while an eligible work or study permit extension is being processed, provided they maintain the required immigration status and satisfy the applicable conditions.

An expired SIN does not independently establish permission to work. Your ability to continue working depends on immigration law and your authorization, not simply on whether the SIN expiry date has passed.

Once IRCC issues the new document confirming continued work authorization, apply to Service Canada to update the SIN expiry date.

If you need to address a mistake in an immigration document before updating your SIN, see correcting an immigration document with IMM 1436.

What happens to your SIN when you become a permanent resident?

When a temporary resident becomes a Canadian permanent resident, they must update their status with Service Canada. This is different from simply extending the expiry date of a temporary SIN.

Temporary residents generally have SINs beginning with 9. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have permanent SINs that do not expire.

When your status changes from temporary to permanent resident, Service Canada may issue a new permanent SIN number. Use an acceptable permanent residence document and follow the official update application process.

For permanent residents, Service Canada accepts documents such as a permanent resident card or an eligible Confirmation of Permanent Residence. A Confirmation of Permanent Residence is generally accepted within one year of becoming a permanent resident; after that period, a permanent resident card is normally required. Other specified historical or verification documents may be accepted for amendments to existing SIN records.

If you need a new permanent resident card before completing your identity records, see renewing or replacing a permanent resident card.

Can you correct errors or update your gender designation?

Yes. Service Canada allows applications to correct errors or discrepancies in a SIN record and to update gender designation information.

For an error correction, prepare documents that establish the correct information. You must still provide the required identity documents even if you are correcting only one field.

Service Canada also permits people to choose an X gender designation or not to declare their gender. Its published instructions explain that a note reflecting the choice is added to the record while the underlying computer systems are being updated; the existing male or female designation may continue to appear in the system.

This SIN record process is separate from changing the gender identifier on a passport or immigration document. If you also need to update a passport, see changing the gender identifier on a Canadian passport.

What documents do you need to update your SIN?

Service Canada requires identity evidence even when you already know your SIN. The exact primary document depends on your current status in Canada.

You also need one valid secondary identity document showing your full legal name and date of birth. Examples include a Canadian or foreign passport, a Canadian driver's licence or an acceptable provincial or territorial identification card.

For name changes, provide supporting legal documents. For temporary SIN extensions, provide the new qualifying immigration document. Representatives may need evidence of their authority to act.

The official Service Canada required documents guide explains these distinctions.

What if your documents are in another language?

Documents not issued in English or French must be accompanied by an acceptable translation.

Service Canada accepts translations prepared by Canadian certified translators who meet the stated requirements. It also provides a route for translations prepared by qualifying non-certified translators when accompanied by the required sworn affidavit.

Family members cannot act as translators for this purpose. Check the detailed translation rules before paying for a translation or submitting your application.

How to update your SIN record online

The official online SIN application supports updates to existing records. You do not need a separate paper form merely because your request is an amendment rather than a first-time SIN application.

1. Open Service Canada's SIN update page.
2. Select whether you are applying for yourself or on behalf of another person.
3. Choose the applicant's current status in Canada.
4. Select the online application method.
5. Follow the document requirements displayed for your situation.
6. Complete the application and upload clear digital copies of the required documents.
7. Submit the application and retain the application reference or confirmation.

Digital copies must show the complete document, including its borders and both sides where applicable. Blurry, cropped or incomplete images can prevent Service Canada from accepting the evidence.

The online service normally processes complete applications in approximately 5 business days. A confirmation can be available through My Service Canada Account or issued through the applicable confirmation method.

Can you update your SIN in person or by mail?

In person

Visit a Service Canada Centre that provides SIN services with the required original documents.

If all information and documents are acceptable, Service Canada generally processes the application during the visit. You normally do not need to leave your original documents with the office.

Check the available SIN services and appointment arrangements before travelling. You can also contact the SIN Program for assistance.

By mail

Mail applications must include the required original documents. Service Canada returns the documents after processing, but it does not accept responsibility for documents lost in the mail.

The official mailing address is:

Service Canada
Social Insurance Registration Office
PO Box 7000
Bathurst, NB E2A 4T1
Canada

Service Canada normally processes complete mailed applications in approximately 20 business days. Allow additional time for postal delivery.

Before mailing irreplaceable identity documents, review the current instructions on the official SIN update page to confirm that mail is the appropriate channel for your circumstances.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

Updating a SIN record is free. Service Canada does not charge for a legal name amendment, immigration status update, expiry extension or correction.

These periods assume that the application and documents meet the requirements. Additional verification or missing information may delay completion.

The 60-day requirement for updating a legal name is a separate obligation. It should not be confused with the processing estimates in this table.

How do you know your SIN record has been updated?

Service Canada explains that when you receive your SIN confirmation or an email stating that your application has been processed, your SIN record has been updated.

You can view and print your SIN information through My Service Canada Account when eligible. Temporary residents whose 9-series SIN has expired may need to complete the extension process before they can use this access route.

If you applied online and have not received confirmation after the published processing period, contact the SIN Program with your application information.

For help, use the official SIN Program contact page. The Canadian toll-free telephone number is 1-866-274-6627.

What if Service Canada rejects your application?

Service Canada may reject an application that does not meet the documentation or identity requirements.

For a rejected mail application, Service Canada sends a letter explaining that the application was rejected and what is needed to obtain a SIN or complete the requested service.

If your online application is rejected, follow the instructions in the notice or contact the SIN Program for clarification. Correct the missing or unacceptable evidence before submitting a new application.

Common problems include:

• An expired or unacceptable identity document.
• A name mismatch without the required legal supporting document.
• An incomplete chain of documents covering multiple name changes.
• An immigration permit that does not establish authorization to work.
• Unacceptable translations.
• Unreadable or incomplete uploaded document images.

Correcting the evidence and applying again is different from an appeal. The published SIN application instructions do not establish a general appeal deadline for every rejected administrative update.

Who must you notify after your SIN is updated?

A routine name correction or record amendment does not necessarily result in a new SIN number. However, a change in immigration status can lead to a different SIN being issued.

When your SIN changes, Service Canada indicates that it notifies the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan, as applicable.

You must notify other organizations that use your SIN, including:

• Your current employer or employers.
• Your financial institutions.
• Other government departments that require your SIN.

If your legal name has also changed, check whether separate records require updates. For example, changing your name with the CRA is a separate administrative process.

Do not share your SIN through unsecured messages or with organizations that do not have a legitimate reason to request it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing the legal name deadline: apply within 60 days of changing your legal name.
• Applying with the wrong immigration document: temporary residents need evidence of authorization to work.
• Assuming an expired SIN determines work authorization: maintained status and immigration conditions must be assessed separately.
• Forgetting earlier name changes: provide documents linking every relevant previous name to the current name.
• Uploading cropped documents: digital copies must be clear and complete.
• Sending photocopies by mail: the mail application process requires original documents.
• Requesting a new SIN for an address change: an address change alone normally does not require a SIN record update.
• Failing to notify an employer after receiving a different SIN: update organizations that use the number.

For most applicants, the practical first step is to select the correct status and application method on Service Canada's SIN update page, then prepare the exact identity and supporting documents required for that situation.