Changing the name on your passport or other travel document

Changes in your life can mean a change in your name. Learn how to get a new passport when your name changes, based on your situation.

On this page

• Changing the name on your passport can cause problems
• Adult passports
• Child passports
• Dropping or inverting given (first and middle) names
• Updating your last name after marriage, divorce, etc.
• Legal name changes, court orders or adoption orders

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.

Adult passports

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.

• apply for a new passport in Canada(opens in a new tab) 
• apply for a new passport from the US(opens in a new tab) 
• apply for a new passport from outside Canada and the US(opens in a new tab) 

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
  • It can have either your new name or your previous name.
•  your current passport, if it’s still valid

You no longer need an updated proof of citizenship

You don’t need a new proof of citizenship if your name has changed because of

• an adoption
• a court decision
• a legal name change

Your proof can have your old name or your new name on it.

Ignore the proof of citizenship instructions in section I on the form

Under the instructions for section I, it says you need an updated proof of citizenship. Ignore this and follow the instructions on the website instead.

We’ll update our forms soon.

Child passports

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.

• apply for a child passport in Canada(opens in a new tab) 
• apply for a child passport from the US(opens in a new tab) 
• apply for a child passport from outside Canada and the US(opens in a new tab) 

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
  • It can have either your new name or your previous name.
•  their current passport, if it’s still valid

You no longer need an updated proof of citizenship

Your child doesn’t need a new proof of citizenship if their name has changed because of

• an adoption
• a court decision
• a legal name change

Their proof can have their old name or their new name on it.

Ignore the proof of citizenship instructions in section J on the form

Under the instructions for section J, it says you need an updated proof of citizenship. Ignore this and follow the instructions on the website instead.

We’ll update our forms soon.

Dropping or inverting given (first and middle) 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.

Updating your last name after marriage, divorce, etc.

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

• must show the last name you’re asking for on your new passport
• must be in English or French
  • Learn more about translating documents for passport applications.
• don’t need to be signed by your guarantor

Legal name changes, court orders or adoption orders

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

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 the name on your passport back to a 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