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. Show
If the name on your passport doesn’t match your bookings or other ID, you might have problems such as
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 marksWe 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
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 passport – adults
Changing the name on a child’s passport
Dropping or inverting given namesIf 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
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 statusYou 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:
These documents
Changing your name after a legal name change, court order or an adoption orderYou 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:
Whichever of these documents you give us, it must have both of the following:
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 oneYou 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:
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 nameYou 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. Who are you applying for?
Reclaim your Indigenous name on your adult passportTo be eligible to apply at no cost, your passport must not
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 applicationYou need to submit
Reclaim your child’s Indigenous name on their passportTo be eligible to apply at no cost, their passport must not
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 applicationYou need to submit
Reclaim your Indigenous name on your travel documentYou need to submit How to submit your applicationMail 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 courierCentralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application. This will also help protect your documents. |