Reclaiming Indigenous names on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada identity documents

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a process for Indigenous peoples, residential school survivors and their families to reclaim their Indigenous names on replacement passports, travel documents, citizenship certificates and permanent resident cards free of charge until May 30, 2026.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 17 (PDF, 299 KB) directs all levels of government to enable residential school survivors and their families to reclaim and use the name that is part of their heritage and culture on various identity documents.

While Call to Action 17 identified passports, IRCC expanded this initiative to include permanent resident cards, citizenship certificates and other travel documents not only for residential school survivors and their families but for all Indigenous peoples.

IRCC has made the standard name change process simpler for reclamation of Indigenous names on various valid IRCC documents. The replacement documents are free, but some fees may be required (postage, expedited processing). For first-time documents or a new document, all the standard fees apply; however, the process uses the same eligibility form as used for a replacement document.

Eligibility forms

• Change name on passport or travel document – adult – 16 years of age and over (PDF, 1 MB)
• Change name on passport or travel document – child – under 16 years of age (PDF, 1 MB)
• Confirmation of eligibility form for citizenship certificate and permanent resident cards (PDF, 1 MB)
• Statutory declaration form for citizenship certificate and permanent resident cards (PDF, 1 MB)

Carefully read all the instructions on the eligibility form, including the checklist, before you start your application.

Make sure your application is complete before submitting your application.

For more information

• Apply for, renew or replace a permanent resident card
• Application for a Citizenship Certificate for Adults and Minors
• Name change – reclaiming an Indigenous name – passport and travel documents