Changing the name on your passport or travel document

On this page

Changing the name on your passport can cause problems

Be sure to make all of your travel bookings, such as tickets and hotels, in the name you have on your passport. Your ID should also ideally match the name you have on your passport.

If the name on your passport doesn’t match your bookings or other ID, you might have problems such as

  • delays at border crossings
  • not being allowed on your plane, boat, train or bus
  • countries not allowing you to enter

This could happen even if you carry your marriage or civil partnership certificate, legal change of name documents or proof of citizenship with you.

You can ask the consulate of the country you plan to visit about your name change. If you have a travel agent, you can also ask them.

You may not be able to use some characters or accent marks

We can only print the Roman alphabet and some accented letters in passports and travel documents. Most languages have alternative spellings of names to account for this.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has guidelines to help ensure all passports and travel documents are machine-readable, as they are used

  • in computer systems by domestic and foreign border control agencies
  • by domestic and foreign airlines for
    • ticket purchasing
    • reservations
    • printing of boarding cards

All systems that handle passenger data, including personal identity information, follow the ICAO guidelines. This makes sure no matter where you travel, your passport or travel document works across computer systems.

Changing the name on your adult passport

The process is the same as applying for a new adult passport. However, because we’re changing the name on your passport, you need to give us some extra documents.

The application form and the steps to submit your application depend on where you’re applying from.

Because we’re changing the name on your passport, you also need to include

  •  a document explaining why you have a new last name.
    • For example, it could be because of
      • a relationship change
      • a legal name change, a court order or an adoption order
      • the reclamation of your Indigenous name
  •  supporting ID(opens in a new tab)  that shows the new name
  •  your proof of citizenship
  •  your current passport, if it’s still valid

Changing the name on a child passport

The process is the same as applying for a new child passport. However, because we’re changing the name on their passport, you need to give us some extra documents.

The application form and the steps to submit your application depend on where you’re applying from.

Because we’re changing the name on their passport, you also need to include

  •  a document explaining why the child has a new last name
    • For example, it could be because of
      • a legal name change, a court order or an adoption order
      • the reclamation of their Indigenous name
  •  their proof of citizenship
  •  their current passport, if it’s still valid

Dropping or inverting given names

If you have multiple given names on your proof of Canadian citizenship, you may ask for your given name(s) to be slightly different on your passport. You must be applying for a new adult passport to do so.

You can

  • drop given names
  • invert given names

If you’re dropping or inverting your given name(s), the name you want on your passport must be the same as the name that’s on your supporting ID.

Changing your last name due to a change in relationship status

You need to apply for a new passport if you’re changing your last name due to a change in your relationship status. This could be a marriage, civil partnership or divorce. You’ll need to include all the required documents for a new application and pay the fees. The ID you provide with your application needs to show your new last name.

You also need to include 1 or more of the following documents. They can be originals or copies:

  • marriage certificate
  • common-law relationship certificate
  • court order issued in or outside Canada, such as
    • separation agreement
    • divorce order or judgment
  • certificate to dissolve a registered common-law relationship
  • resumption of surname certificate

These documents

You need to apply for a new passport if your or your child’s name has changed after a legal name change, court order or an adoption order.

The supporting ID you include with your application needs to show your new given name(s) and last name.

If your or your child’s proof of citizenship does not have the new legal name, you need to submit the proof of citizenship in your or your child’s previous name and provide one of the following documents:

  • a legal name change certificate
  • an adoption order
  • a court order

Whichever of these documents you give us, it must have both of the following:

  • your new name and
  • your old name

They can be the original or a photocopy. If you’re applying by mail we suggest sending photocopies so you can hold on to your originals.

We may need further documents or information if you got these documents outside of Canada. If they’re not in English or French, they need to be translated by a certified translator. Learn more about translations.

Changing your name on your passport back to the previous one

You need to submit a new application to change the name on your passport back to the  previous one.  You must also submit documents supporting the name change:

  • changing your last name due to a change in relationship status
  • legal name changes, court orders or adoption orders

They can be the original or a photocopy. If you’re applying by mail we suggest sending photocopies so you can hold on to your originals.

Reclaiming your Indigenous name

You can change the name on your or your child’s passport or travel document to reclaim your Indigenous name. To ensure your passport or travel document is machine-readable, names can only be written in letters from the Roman alphabet and some accented letters.

There is no cost for this until May 30, 2026. Your updated passport or travel document will have the same expiry date as the current, valid one.

This is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF, 298.56 KB). Learn more about our response to Call to Action 17.

Who are you applying for?

Reclaim your Indigenous name on your adult passport

To be eligible to apply at no cost, your passport must not

  • be valid for less than 6 months
  • be damaged
  • have been declared lost or stolen

If your passport is any of the above, you must apply for a new passport and pay the fees.

Documents you need to submit with your application

You need to submit

  • your current passport
  • 1 piece of supporting ID that shows the name change
  • a completed form PPTC 657E (PDF, 1.26 MB)
  • 2 new photos taken within the last 6 months
    • We’ll refund you the cost of the new photos if you give us the receipt.
  • one of the following:
    • an updated birth certificate or citizenship certificate
    • a birth certificate or citizenship certificate with your old name and a
      • legal name change document
      • court order or
      • adoption order
        • It must show both your previous name and your reclaimed name.

Reclaim your child’s Indigenous name on their passport

To be eligible to apply at no cost, their passport must not

  • be valid for less than 6 months
  • be damaged
  • have been declared lost or stolen

If their passport is any of the above, you must apply for a new child’s passport (opens in a new tab) and pay the fees.

Documents you need to submit with their application

You need to submit

  • their current passport
  • proof of parentage
  • all documents that refer to the custody of, mobility of, and access to the child, if applicable
  • a completed form PPTC 658E (PDF, 1.28 MB)
  • 2 new photos taken within the last 6 months
    • We’ll refund you the cost of the new photos if you give us the receipt.
  • one of the following:
    • an updated birth certificate or citizenship certificate
    • a birth certificate or citizenship certificate with their previous name and a
    • legal name change document
    • court order or
    • adoption order
      • It must show both their previous name and their reclaimed name.

If you’re applying in person and need your passport in 10-20 business days

By appointment

You can book an appointment online (opens in a new tab) .

Some locations have a high demand for appointments. Their availability may vary.

Without an appointment (walk-in)

Avoid potential lines by applying at a Service Canada Centre. Your application will be processed within 20 business days, plus mail time.

You can get walk-in services at a Service Canada Centre or a passport office (opens in a new tab) . If the location is busy, we may prioritize people who need a passport within 48 hours.

Someone else can submit your application for you if you can’t go yourself. Learn more about who can submit a passport application on your behalf (opens in a new tab) .

If you’re applying in person and need your passport in 2 to 9 business days

You may need to provide proof that you need the passport.

By appointment

You can book an appointment online  (opens in a new tab).

Some locations have a high demand for appointments. Their availability may vary.

Without an appointment (walk-in)

Go to a passport office with express pick-up service (opens in a new tab) .

If the location is busy, we may prioritize people who need a passport within 48 hours.

If you need your passport by end of next business day

Submit the application by mail from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan

Service standards don’t include mailing time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0G3

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 De Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

Submit the application by mail from British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Yukon

Service standards don’t include mailing time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
PO Box 4000 STN LCD 3
Mississauga, Ontario  L5K 0A9

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 De Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

Submit the application by mail from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island

Service standards don’t include mailing time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0G3

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 De Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

Reclaim your Indigenous name on your travel document

You need to submit

How to submit your application

Mail us your form and supporting documents. Your travel document and any original documentation you submitted will be returned to you by mail. They may be in 2 separate packages.

If using a courier

Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section
Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, QC  J8X 4B7
Canada

If applying by mail (non-courier)

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application. This will also help protect your documents.

OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, ON  K1G 5G8

Reclaim your child’s Indigenous name on their travel document

You need to submit

How to submit their application

Mail us their form and supporting documents. Their travel document and any original documentation you submitted will be returned to you by mail. They may be in 2 separate packages.

If using a courier

Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section
Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, QC  J8X 4B7
Canada

If applying by mail (non-courier)

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application. This will also help protect your documents.

OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, ON  K1G 5G8

Page details

Date modified: