Identification of spouse or common-law partner

General information

You must advise us of your spouse or common-law partner's social insurance number (SIN), temporary tax number (TTN) or individual tax number  (ITN).

Definitions and explanations

Social insurance number (SIN)
The authorized number for income tax purposes under section 237 of the Income Tax Act and is used under certain federal programs.

Temporary tax number (TTN)
An internal number provided by the Canada Revenue Agency to a taxpayer who resides in Canada for income tax purposes but who cannot get a social insurance number.

Individual tax number (ITN)
An internal number provided by the Canada Revenue Agency to non-residents who need an identification number but who are not eligible to get a social insurance number.

Next
Selecting "Next" will advance you to the next screen on your way to updating your new marital status.

Previous
Selecting “Previous” will take you back to the “Residency for spouse or common-law partner” page.

Error messages

CMMS - 17   You have entered an invalid account number for your spouse/partner.  Please correct your entry.
The account number entered does not match any social insurance number, temporary tax number, or individual tax number in our system. This is a mandatory field.

CMMS - 18  You have exceeded the limit of attempts to enter your spouse/partner’s account number.
After three tries, you have not entered a valid account number. However, you can still send your new marital status in writing.

CMMS - 19  The effective date for your spouse/partner’s new marital status indicates that they are less than 10 years of age. The effective date of their marital status must be greater than 10 years from their date of birth.
For individuals less than 10 years of age, the CRA only recognizes the status of single.

CMMS - 20   The earliest effective date for same sex marriages is June 10 2003. 
The CRA only recognizes same sex marriages as of June 10, 2003.

CMMS - 21   The earliest effective date for same sex common-law relationships is on or after December 31 1998.
The CRA only recognizes same-sex, common-law relationships as of December 31, 1998.

CMMS - 23   You must enter an account number that is not your own.  
You entered your account number instead of your spouse’s account number. Please enter the account number of your spouse.

CMMS - 24   Your spouse/partner's account is not available at this time.
You can make your change or update in writing.

CMMS - 36   You cannot update a marital status with an effective date after a spouse has been declared deceased.
The CRA only accepts marital status changes effective up to the date of death of the spouse.