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Name Change Applications
Are you planning to legally change your name in Ontario? Navigating the paperwork required by the Office of the Registrar General can feel overwhelming.
At Crown Seal Notary, we provide fast, professional commissioning services for your ServiceOntario Application for a Change of Name across Hamilton and the GTA.
To finalize an adult or child legal name change, ServiceOntario strictly mandates that the applicant complete a formal Statutory Declaration within the application package. Because this declaration constitutes a sworn statement under provincial law, your entire application is legally invalid and will be rejected by the Registrar General if it is not signed, dated, and formally witnessed by an authorized Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.
Key Requirements Checklist Before You Book
ServiceOntario enforces strict security protocols for legal name changes under the Change of Name Act. Before scheduling your commissioning session with Crown Seal Notary, ensure your application package addresses these essential benchmarks:
- To apply for an adult name change on your own behalf, you must be at least 16 years of age or older and have physically resided in Ontario continuously for the past 12 consecutive months.
- Our Notary cannot sign an incomplete form. You must fill out the entire package—including your full legal name (no nicknames), exact birth date, place of birth, and parents’ names—prior to your appointment.
- If you are legally married or have executed a Joint Declaration of Conjugal Relationship, you are required by law to notify your spouse or partner of your intent to change your name and submit proof of this notice within your final mailing package.
- If the applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, you must secure the signed, formal permission of every individual who holds legal custody, guardianship, or decision-making responsibility over you.
- If your background history dictates that a police record check is required for your name change, you must download and complete the Criteria for a Police Record Check for a Change of Name form with your local police service before finalizing your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Statutory Declaration in the name change package?
The Statutory Declaration is a designated section located within Part 6 of the ServiceOntario name change application. By signing this in front of a Notary Public, you are officially declaring under civil law that you meet the 12-month Ontario residency requirement, that all family history information provided is entirely true, and that the application is not being made for improper or fraudulent purposes.
Can I change my name to anything I want in Ontario?
While Canadians have immense personal freedom when selecting a new name, the Office of the Registrar General reserves the right to reject an application if the proposed name is deemed confusing, intentionally misleading, contains prohibited characters/symbols, or is chosen to perpetrate identity fraud or evade criminal and financial liabilities.
What documents do I need to bring to my notary appointment?
You must bring your completed, unsigned name change application package along with at least one piece of valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification (such as your current passport or driver's licence) so our Notary can legally verify your identity.
How much does ServiceOntario charge to process a legal name change?
The official government processing fee is $137 for an adult name change. If you are changing your name and choose to concurrently change the legal name of your dependent children (aged 17 or younger), the fee is an additional $22 per child. These government fees are paid directly to ServiceOntario via their included payment authorization form, separate from your notary commissioning fee.
What happens after my name change application is commissioned?
Once Crown Seal Notary witnesses your signature and applies our official legal seal, you will mail your complete application, government payment form, and required original supporting documents (such as your original birth certificate) to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay. Once approved, the government will mail you an official Change of Name Certificate and a brand-new birth certificate reflecting your new legal name, typically within 6 to 8 weeks.
Finalize Your Name Change Application: Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t risk having your government file delayed or returned due to a missing or improperly executed legal stamp. Crown Seal Notary makes the final step of your application process seamless, professional, and entirely stress-free.
Whether you prefer a quick, efficient in-person session at our Hamilton office, a Mobile & In-Office Notary Services who travels straight to your home or office anywhere in the GTA, or a secure remote online commissioning session over video call, we are here to help you move your future forward.
Critical Pre-Appointment Reminder: Please double-check that every line of your form is printed clearly using black or blue ink, but do not sign or date the declaration blocks. Your signature must be written live during your appointment so our Notary Public can legally validate the document.
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