How to Change Your Child’s Name in Ontario: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Changing your child’s name in Ontario may feel like a daunting process, but with the right guidance, it can be straightforward. Whether you’re pursuing a name change for personal or family reasons, this step-by-step guide will simplify the process. Read on to learn how Lucero Legal Services can help make this journey smoother.

Step 1: Check the Eligibility Requirements

Before starting, confirm that your child meets the eligibility requirements for a name change in Ontario:

• Residency: Your child must have resided in Ontario for at least the past 12 months (or since birth if they are under one year old).

• Age Requirement: The child must be 17 years or younger and unmarried.

• Consent from the Child: For children aged 12 and older, their consent is required.

• Legal Conditions: There should be no existing court orders or agreements preventing the name change.

  
  

Step 2: Obtain Required Consents and Notifications

All adults with legal custody of the child must provide consent for the name change. Additionally, anyone with lawful access to the child must be notified of the name change in writing. If there are any court orders or agreements about custody, access, or the child’s current name, photocopies of these documents must be included with the application.

Step 3: Gather and Complete Necessary Documents

Once eligibility and consent requirements are met, follow these steps to complete the application process:

1. Fill Out the Application Forms: Start by completing the “Application to Change a Child’s Name” and the “Requirements for a Police Record Check for a Change of Name.” These forms can be downloaded from the Government of Ontario’s website.

   
   

2. Statutory Declaration Notarization: The application includes a statutory declaration that must be signed in front of a commissioner for oaths or a notary public. A notary public, like Lucero Legal Services, will then notarize this document as part of the application.

   
   

3. Submit the Forms and Required Documents: After the forms are filled and notarized, submit them, along with any required documents and fees, to Service Ontario by mail or at a Service Ontario location.

   
   

Step 4: Understand the Costs

For a child’s name change application, the fee is $137. If a parent is also changing their name as part of the same application, the cost is reduced to $22 for the child’s application.

Step 5: Receive the Change of Name Certificate

Once the application is approved, you’ll receive a Change of Name Certificate for your child. This document shows the previous and new name and can be used to update various personal records, such as a health card.

For children born in Ontario, a new birth certificate will be issued with the updated name. If your child was born outside Ontario, the name change notification is sent to the vital statistics office in their birth province or territory, except Quebec. You may need to request a new birth certificate from that office.

How Lucero Legal Services Can Assist You

Navigating the application process and ensuring all documents are correctly notarized can feel overwhelming. Lucero Legal Services offers professional and convenient notary services, helping you complete the statutory declaration quickly and accurately. With our support, you can feel confident that each step is handled with care.

Take the Next Step with Lucero Legal Services

If you’re ready to begin the name change process for your child, Lucero Legal Services is here to help. Book your notary appointment near you today! and let us guide you through the process with confidence.