Yesterday I wrote about Changing Your Name After Getting Married. Interestingly in Canada, unlike many civil law jurisdictions, you may change your name even if you aren’t formally married.

In general, the procedure of name changing is similar to changing your name after getting married, with some modifications detailed below.

How do I prove that I’m in a conjugal (common law) relationship?

While it’s true that you won’t have a marriage certificate to prove your relationship, you may file a Joint Declaration of Conjugal Relationship. This form is available from the Office of the Registrar General.

After you have filed the joint declaration, you may take the copy of the declaration to the appropriate institutions to change your name by assuming your spouse’s surname or a hyphenated surname consisting of your own and your spouse’s surnames.

Alternatively, you may formally change your name by filing an Election to Change Surname form with the Registrar General, once your joint declaration has been filed.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar General toll free at 1-800-461-2156 or in Toronto at 416-325-8305.