Name change guide

Information accurate for BC residents not born in BC or Canada and is current as of March 2023. 

1. Submit application

Guiding document: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/legal-changes-of-name/legal-change-of-name-application 

Fill out online form: https://ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca/ecos/begin.do

Documents, copy of online form submission confirmation, and payment receipts need to be submitted at a Service BC location or mail in. 

Takes about 2 months. Confirmation letter and the Certificate of Change of Name are mailed separately. 

Required documents

  • Witnessed signature on form
  • Certified copy of PR card or Citizenship Certificate
  • Copy of fingerprinting service receipt
  • Proof of Payment
The Commissionaires is the only RCMP-accredited fingerprinting service provider in Victoria.  

2. Receive certificate and change provincial IDs

MSP information change: https://my.gov.bc.ca/msp/deam/home

  • Takes about three weeks to receive confirmation letter

Visit ICBC to replace/renew ID. Can be done in once if ID up for renewal (6 months in advance). Technically, replacing driver's license does not require the confirmation letter; unclear about health card. Personally, I would do both at the same time after receiving HIBC confirmation. 

  • Takes about three weeks to receive new cards

3. "The fallout"

C denotes certificate needed. ID denotes government ID needed. 

Government

IRCC

  • Check application processing times here (only a rough estimate)
  • No province or territory nor federal departments allow name changes for temporary residents as this time. 
  • Permanent residents should apply to renew (not replace) PR card in Canada. C
    • Application package, containing links to guide, document checklist, and other forms
    • Apply online through the permanent residence portal
    • Periodically try to link your application in your IRCC secure account. No confirmation will be sent when application was received or commenced processing. If application linked, a ghost update will happen when approved, and it will display (approved) when a card is mailed out. 
    • Takes about 3 months
    • Keep using current card until new card received. 
    • Renewing PR card in Canada requires the officer assessing whether residency obligation has been met (or could possibly be met, if you have been a PR for less than three years). 
    • CoPR cannot be amended as a historical document
  • Citizens should apply for a new passport and replaced citizenship certificate 
    • Certificate: Application package; choose on paper. Contains links to guide, document checklist, and other forms. Pay fee online (under Citizenship certificate) and include the payment receipt in the application. Mail application to CPC Sydney. C
    • Passport: Application guide; mail application to Passport program in Gatineau, QC. C ID
  • If there is any application in progress, contact IRCC using the web form. C 

SIN/Service Canada

  • Apply online to update SIN records. Required documents are explained in guide. C
  • Can apply without documents showing the new name. Personally, I would still recommend having at least one piece of documentation showing the new name (proof of address, for example). 
  • New SIN letter should arrive in weeks. Application is now traceable; system sent confirmation emails when application is received and is completed. 

CRA

  • If changing either first or last name, call individual tax line at 1-800-959-8281. No documentation required. 
  • Call separately for corporate or non-resident accounts. 
  • If changing both first and last name, mail documentation to the corresponding tax centre (Winnipeg for BC residents). C

CAF

  • Applicants should contact recruiter. C
  • Current members should contact CoC. 
  • Family members of CAF members should contact CFMWS for replacing the CFOne card. 

Education institutions

UBC: Guide. Bring Certificate in person to Enrolment Services Advising Centre.

UVic: Submit a personal information change online. When change is confirmed, order a replacement diploma online if preferred; new diploma design starting November 2022. Netlink ID and passport required in principle. New transcripts ordered should carry the new name. C

TRU: Submit the filled Name Change form to Enrolment Services with a copy of Certificate or ID. 

High school: Contact high school. Ministry of Education cannot change the name on record. 

Health organizations

Extended health insurance: if provided by employer, changes should go through employer. C

Clinic: request a change at reception. Usually requires changes to be completed for MSP. ID

Lifelabs: visit a Lifelabs location. Usually requires changes to be completed for MSP. ID

West Coast Imaging: request a change at reception. Usually requires changes to be completed for MSP. Account for Immigration Medical Exams cannot be changed (has to match passport information). ID

Dental: visit your dental clinic(s). Usually requires changes to be completed for extended health insurance provider. ID

Pharmacy: visit your pharmacy. Usually requires changes to be completed for both MSP and extended health insurance provider. ID

Optometry: request a change at reception or online. Usually requires changes to be completed for both MSP and extended health insurance provider. ID

Financial services

RBC: Bring Certificate to a branch and all things should be sorted out in one visit. New debit and credit cards arrive in weeks. 

CIBC: call number at the back of the credit card. Tell them you are changing name on card due to legal name change. They make a note on the file and will ask you to go to a branch. When you arrive at the bench, say you are here to change the name after a legal name change. They then will ask you to call the number, on which you will tell them you have called the number and was told to come to the branch. They then will contact them using their phone and the process go down from there. New cards arrive in weeks. ID

Canadian Tire Bank: Send a certified copy of Certificate with a letter containing the request and personal information to Welland, ON. Can call in advance to get the account number to be included in the letter. Confirmation comes in two weeks, on which a phone call is needed to order a new card. New card arrives in two weeks. 

Wealthsimple: Call to initial process. After ticket is opened, upload Certificate and ID to account. ID cannot be scanned but a plain photo. Change is confirmed after re-signing two documents. 

Paypal: Request change online. ID

Utilities

Shaw: For home services, call to change. For mobile, visit a Shaw location with ID. [2024 note: not verified after the Rogers-Shaw merge]

BC Hydro: Change online. No documents needed.

Transportation

Auto Insurance: visit your broker. C

Air Canada: edit name through Aeroplan account and a request for ID or name change certificate will show. Submit through it and wait for 3-5 weeks. Try again afterwards if no change. C/ID

WestJet: phone call. No documents needed. 

VIA Rail: website will say phone call but it is in fact an email. C

BC Ferries: change online. No documents needed. 

BCAA: book an appointment to visit a location. New card arrive in two weeks. C

Miscellaneous

Canadian Blood Services: can request the change during assessment of a donation. ID

Law School Application Council: In principle, changes can be made online directly. If name has been changed before, request can be made over email. ID

Scene+: Call to initiate the change. C

More Rewards: Call to initiate the change. Need to visit customer service counter at a Save-On-Foods location to finalize the change. ID

BCLC: Online chat to initiate the change. Will be given link to upload both Certificate and ID. 



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