Canadian Brides - Name Change Question

Hey girls,

I wasn't sure where to post this so I thought I would put it here.

This afternoon, I've been researching how to go about changing my last name after our wedding next month and I stumbled upon this thread on canadianbride.com Assuming vs Changing Last Name

I was just wondering where these ladies get the impression that when you legally change your name that they change your birth certificate to match your husband's last name? That doesn't make any sense at all.

From what I understand, legally changing your name is the same as assuming your husband's last name only you have to pay a fee to do it and it's much more difficult to change your name back should you (God forbid) get divorced and by either or legally changing or assuming your husband's last name, neither would affect your birth certificate/records.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I want to legally change my name as I wanted to be as distanced as possible from my dad's side of the family with whom I share my last name (loooong story but yeah, there's a lot of negativity there and I don't want any part of it).

Thanks in advance!

Legally changing your name is not the same as assuming.

In Ontario, if you assume your husbands name your documents (i.e., license, passport etc) can be his last name or a hyphenated version but your birth certificate remains the same. If you wish to use your legal name again, you simply revert back by presenting your birth certificate as proof of your legal name.

If you legally change your name you actually change your birth certificate which is why it's so hard to change it back.

Here's the link to the government site..

CHANGING YOUR NAME DUE TO A RELATIONSHIP & CHANGING IT BACK - Health social services - Gateway Individuals - Government of Ontario (Canada)

Im assuming Craig's last name. Im not paying a fee to have my maiden name legally changed on my birth certificate. PITA! Most people I know have just assumed their husband's name, not bothered to change it legally. That being said, my maiden name doesnt carry a negative connotation to it. If legally changing your name to hubby's works for you Kathy - then go for it!

Thanks ladies!

From what I understand from reading that other thread is that some provinces will change the name on your birth cert and some won't (if you legally change it that is). I guess I'll have to ask a registry agent here in Alberta to get the official word on that.

weird, it double posted

Hmm.. I wonder what the procedure here in BC is to do it legally. I guess I just assumed Jayson's last name because I'm not getting my name changed on my birth certificate. I think we have to pay a fee if you are hyphenating your last name or combining both last names into a brand new name.

Jenn6603,

Will do and congrats on your upcoming wedding too!!

pffft, just assume his name. I have problems with changing my birth certificate. WTF? I was not born a Copeland! Also, know that you will need your actual marriage certificate to change your name with the license bureau and passport office, and that will mean waiting months to get your certificate sent to you from Mexico, and having it translated.

A quicker way around it would be to have a civil service here in Canada before you go down, then apply for the certificate. It should arrive within a week or so of getting back.

Just wanted to give Toronto brides the heads up - Went to change my drivers license and health card yesterday (assuming) and was informed that I need to have my Mexico Wedding Certif (in Spanish) translated to English as they only accept English and French.

They will give you a list of certified translators - 70 bucks and a week later..