Changing the Name on a Canadian Passport: Complete Guideline

Whether your name changed through marriage, a legal decision, or a simple correction, your passport must reflect it accurately.

This guide provides a clear outline of the rules, required documents, fees, and travel considerations involved in updating the name on a Canadian passport.

Table of contents

• When You Must or May Need to Update Your Passport Name
• Canadian Passport Name Change Process
• Documents Required
• Canadian Passport Photo Requirements
• Get a Photo for Your Canadian Passport Application Online!
• Passport Photo App
• Costs to Change the Name on a Canadian Passport
• Travelling After a Name Change
• FAQ

When You Must or May Need to Update Your Passport Name

Your passport must accurately reflect your legal name at all times. Here, we explain the main circumstances under which you are required - or may choose - to update the name on your Canadian passport.

• Marriage name change. Apply for a new passport with your new last name after marriage. You'll need to provide documents like your marriage certificate and identification showing your new name.
• Reverting to maiden or previous name. If you're returning to a maiden or previous name, submit documents such as a divorce order or legal name change proof for a new passport.
• Legal or administrative name changes. For any legal name change not tied to marriage, apply for a new passport using documents like a court order or a name change certificate.
• Correcting errors. If your passport has name errors, submit official documents to apply for a name correction on a Canadian passport.

Can I travel with a Canadian passport in my maiden name if I am now married? As long as all your travel documents match your maiden name, you can travel with a Canadian passport in your maiden name after getting married. This includes your airline ticket, visa, and any other travel documents. If any of these documents use your married name instead, you may face issues at check-in or at the border.

Canadian Passport Name Change Process

How do I change my name on my passport in Canada? Changing your name on a Canadian passport follows a structured procedure. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to change your last name on a Canadian passport.

Do I need to renew my passport if I have a new name? A legal name change requires applying for a new Canadian passport. Canada doesn’t partially amend existing passports.

Here’s how to apply:

1. Fill out the Adult General Passport Application Form PPTC 153, or PPTC 657 if reclaiming an Indigenous name. You can access these forms via the official IRCC website.
2. Provide standard requirements: two new passport photos, proof of Canadian citizenship, applicable fees, and your current passport.
3. Include supporting documents specific to your name change.
4. Have a guarantor sign your application and one photo. This guarantor must have known you for at least two years.
5. Schedule an appointment at a Passport Centre or Service Canada Centre based on how quickly you need the passport.
6. Submit your application at your appointment and pay the necessary fees.

Documents Required

Providing the right documents is essential to ensure your passport name change is processed smoothly. Here, you’ll find exactly what you need when applying for a Canadian passport after a name change.

Core documents for all adult name changes:

• Completed Adult General Passport Application Form PPTC 153 – not the simple renewal form.
• Current valid Canadian passport.
• Two passport photos taken within the last six months, meeting Canadian specifications.
• One piece of identification showing your new name, birthdate, photo, and signature (e.g., driver’s license, provincial photo card, or health card, depending on your province).
• Proof of Canadian citizenship (birth certificate or citizenship certificate), in the old or new name, as applicable.
• For most adult name changes, you also include form PPTC 657 (Request – name change on travel document).

Additional documents for relationship-based changes (for Canadian passport name changes due to marriage, common-law partnership, or divorce):

• Marriage certificate.
• Common-law relationship certificate.
• Separation agreement.
• Divorce order or judgment.
• Certificate to dissolve a registered common-law relationship.
• Resumption of surname certificate.
• These documents must display the requested surname in English or French, or include a certified translation.

Additional documents for legal name change/court order/adoption:

• Supporting ID showing the new full legal name.
• If citizenship proof remains in your old name, provide it alongside a legal name change certificate, court order, or adoption order listing both old and new names.
• Authorities usually accept either originals or photocopies, but recommend sending copies by mail to retain originals.

Reverting to a previous name:

• All core documents, including Form PPTC 657 and two new photos.
• Documents supporting the name reversion, such as a divorce judgment or resumption of surname certificate, showing the previous name.

Children’s passport name change:

• Child General Passport Application with Form PPTC 658 (Name Change Request for a Child).
• Current child’s passport.
• Proof of parentage (e.g., long-form birth certificate).
• Custody, mobility, or access court orders, if applicable.
• Two new photos of the child.
• Proof of citizenship and related legal documents if the name change involves legal orders.

Reclaiming an Indigenous name: For reclaiming an Indigenous name on a travel document, submit a new application with the current passport, proof of immigration status showing the reclaimed name, supporting ID, Form PPTC 657, and new photos. The cost of photos can be refunded with the receipt.

Canadian Passport Photo Requirements

Your photo for a Canadian passport must meet strict specifications. Here are the precise size, quality, and style rules to avoid rejections or delays:

• Photo dimensions: 50×70 mm.
• Face size must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown.
• Background should be plain white or light-colored for clear contrast and visible features.
• Expression is neutral, with your mouth closed. Smiling is not permitted.
• Head is centred, facing forward, with eyes open and clearly visible.
• No tinted glasses. Prescription glasses are acceptable if there's no glare or reflection.
• Head coverings are allowed for religious or medical purposes, as long as facial features remain visible.
• Photos must be taken within the last six months to show your current appearance.

Here is a photo example:

Get a Photo for Your Canadian Passport Application Online!

With today’s online photo tools, there’s no need to visit a photo studio to take a professional passport photo anymore. Read on to find out how to take a compliant passport photo in just a few minutes with Visafoto, a trusted photo editing service. It only takes two simple steps:

1. Capture a photo of yourself in natural daylight.
2. Upload it to the Visafoto tool.

Visafoto will handle photo adjustments, ensuring your photo meets official requirements with a correct background, size, and head position. You'll receive a digital copy ideal for online submissions and a print-ready format.

Example of the photo you can upload to Visafoto:

With a 99.7% acceptance rate and over 500,000 approved photos, Visafoto guarantees compliance with official standards. If not, we offer a full refund. Our technical support is available 24/7.

Passport Photo App

Prefer using your smartphone? Opt for the 7ID App by Visafoto.com. This app automatically crops images, adjusts backgrounds, and generates printable templates. Designed for iPhone and Android, it meets everyone’s needs.

Using 7ID is easy: upload your photo and select your document type and country. The app adjusts your picture to meet official standards. You'll get a digital copy and a print template for standard sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. Assistance is available from our technical support team for any inquiries.

Costs to Change the Name on a Canadian Passport

Changing the name on your Canadian passport means submitting a new application. This process incurs the full fee for a new passport, regardless of your current passport’s validity. Here, we break down the costs so you can plan your application budget.

The standard cost for a Canadian passport name change in 2025-2026 is as follows:

Adults (16 and older):

• 5-year passport: CAD 120
• 10-year passport: CAD 160

Children (0 to 15 years):

• 5-year passport: CAD 57

If you need your passport quickly, expedited services are available for additional fees:

• Next-day urgent pickup: Adds CAD 110, making a 10-year passport cost CAD 270.
• Express pickup (2–9 days): Adds CAD 50, totalling CAD 210.

Exceptions (No-cost options):

• Reclaiming an Indigenous name: Free if your passport is valid (over 6 months remaining, undamaged, not lost or stolen). Submit the required documents and photos; costs for photos are refundable with a receipt.
• Government error corrections: Free replacement if Passport Canada made an error.

Travelling After a Name Change

Updating your passport name can affect your travel plans. Below, we explain what to consider before booking trips and presenting your passport at borders.

Can you travel with your old passport after a name change? After legally changing your name, you cannot travel with your old passport. You must acquire a new passport reflecting your current name. Discrepancies between your passport and travel documents can cause significant disruptions.

Airline tickets must match your passport exactly. Use the exact name on your current passport for all bookings, including exact punctuation, order, and spacing. Contact airlines for minor corrections, as they may allow changes for a fee. Always update bookings only after receiving your new passport.

Travelling with mismatched documents can lead to delays or denied entry. Potential risks include:

• Airline rejection. Airlines enforce strict name-matching rules and may refuse boarding, leading to missed flights.
• Border issues. Immigration officers may scrutinize unmatched documents, request additional proof, or deny entry. While the U.S.-Canada land borders are somewhat flexible, mismatches still pose a risk.
• Visa problems. Countries like those in the Schengen Area or the U.S. with ESTA requirements demand a name match. Mismatch can invalidate approvals.

To avoid travel disruptions, apply for your new passport well in advance of your trip and use the old passport only for matching existing bookings.

FAQ

Do I have to change the name on a passport after the marriage?

You don't have to change your passport name after getting married. You can keep using your passport with your maiden name as long as your travel tickets and documents match that name. If you wish to travel using your new married name, you'll need to renew your Canadian passport with an ID showing your new last name and your marriage certificate.

Can I apply for a passport with a single name?

Yes, Canadian passports can be issued without a first/given name listed. Enter your single name in the Surname field on your Canada passport name change application, and leave the Given name(s) field blank or enter “FNU” (First Name Unknown) as instructed. Be aware that international systems sometimes expect two names, which might cause minor issues.

Does a Canadian passport have an obligatory middle name?

No, Canadian passports don't require a middle name. The “given names” field includes your first and any middle names listed on your supporting documents. If your ID doesn't have a middle name, you can omit it on the application. The passport will reflect the names exactly as provided in the application.

Can I remove a middle name from my passport without a legal name change?

Yes, you can drop a middle name from your Canadian passport without a legal name change. Submit a new adult passport application (PPTC 153) with ID showing the desired name configuration and your proof of citizenship. This option is available for “dropping given names” when it aligns with your ID.

Can I update my passport name without updating my driver’s licence or health card first?

Yes, you can change your name on your passport before updating your driver's license or health card. Submit a new passport application with your proof of citizenship and a name-change document, like a marriage certificate or court order, that connects your old and new names. Update provincial IDs using your new passport as supporting proof afterward.

Can I change my passport name if my divorce is not finalized yet?

No, you cannot change your passport name to a previous surname while your divorce is ongoing. Passport Canada requires a completed divorce order or judgment, or a resumption of surname certificate, to make such changes. Once finalized, apply for a new passport with the necessary ID and divorce documents linking your old and new names.

Do children need a new passport when a parent changes their name?

No, a parent’s name change does not affect a child's passport. The child’s passport remains valid in their own name. Only apply for a new passport for your child if their name changes due to adoption or a legal order.

What if my name change took place outside Canada - will foreign documents be accepted?

Yes, Passport Canada accepts foreign documents for name changes. You must submit the original or a photocopy of the foreign marriage certificate, legal name change document, court order, or adoption order, along with a certified English or French translation if necessary. Additional documents may be required if issued outside Canada.

What should I do if airline tickets were already issued under my old name?

Contact your airline immediately to request a name correction rather than a full change. You will need to provide proof, such as a marriage certificate or a legal name-change document. Airlines often allow minor corrections (like maiden to married name or minor typos) for a fee ranging from CAD 50–300, though policies vary. Major name changes might necessitate cancelling and rebooking. Travel with your old passport that matches the ticket, and carry documentation to explain any discrepancies at check-in or border controls.

If my passport has an error in the spelling of my name, do I need to pay a fee to fix it?

No, if Passport Canada made the spelling error, you won't be charged a fee for correction or replacement. Contact them promptly for a free resolution.