What should I do if my or my spouse’s name changed?

If your or your spouse or common-law partner’s name changed during the year, you need to let the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec (if applicable) know as soon as possible. Notifying these agencies before you file your return helps avoid problems when filing your return online.

If, however, you’re unable to notify the CRA and/or Revenu Québec of your name change before you file your return, you should file with your old name. Keep in mind, the notice of assessment (NOA) you will receive for the year will be in your old name.

Note: You can’t use your or your spouse’s return to inform the CRA or Revenu Québec of the name change.

For a single name change (either first OR last name)

Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. Be sure to have your social insurance number (SIN) and a copy of your latest tax return handy.

For a full name change (first AND last name)

Mail or fax a letter containing the following information to your local tax center:

  • Your old and new names
  • Your SIN
  • Your signature

Unfortunately, the CRA doesn’t accept name changes via email or through the CRA My Account service at this time.

Refer to the Service Canada website for more information on changing your name with other relevant government departments and agencies.

If your or your spouse’s name change application has been accepted by the Directeur de l'état civil, inform Revenu Québec of the change using one of the following methods:

  • Call Revenu Québec at 1-800-267-6299. Be sure to have two notices from Revenu Québec (such as your notice of assessment and your notice of determination) and the copy of the name change certificate on hand; or

  • Mailing a copy of the name change certificate received from the Directeur de l’état civil to one of the following applicable addresses:

    Montréal, Laval, Laurentides, Lanaudière and Montérégie

    Direction principale des relations avec la clientele des particuliers

    Revenu Québec

    C.P. 3000, succursale Place-Desjardins

    Montréal (Québec) H5B 1A4

    Québec City and other regions: Direction principale des relations avec la clientèle des particuliers

    Revenu Québec

    3800, rue de Marly

    Québec (Québec) G1X 4A5


Note: Even if you completed the simplified forwarding of information relative to a change of name form with the name change application, the Directeur de l'état civil won’t notify Revenu Québec of the change; you must inform them yourself.