5. Change other official documents

After you submit your application and documents, it takes about 6-8 weeks to get your change of name certificate. It could take longer if your application is missing information.

If you were born in Ontario, you also get a new birth certificate showing your reclaimed name.

If you were not born in Ontario, you have to use the change of name certificate to apply for a new birth certificate from your birthplace.

With your change of name certificate, you can apply to change things like your:

  • driver's license
  • health card
  • passport
  • SIN card

You have to go through the name-change process for each document that you'd like to update. There's no fee to change the information on your Ontario health card or driver's license.

Government of Canada’s fee waiver

Until May 30, 2026, all Indigenous Peoples, not just residential school survivors, can apply to waive the fee to change the name on their passport, travel document, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card.

The fee is only waived to change the name on a document you already have. The fee will not be waived if you're getting a new document.

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