Do You Need to Tell the CRA About a Change of Name?

Why You Should Inform the CRA

If you legally change your first name, last name, or both, you should notify the CRA as soon as possible so your tax records match your legal identity. This helps prevent problems with tax filing, benefit payments and correspondence.

How to Notify the CRA

By Phone

For a change to either your first or last name, you can contact the CRA by phone. You’ll need to verify your identity with your Social Insurance Number (SIN), birth date, full address and recent tax documents.

By Mail or Fax

If you’ve changed both your first name and last name, or need to provide documentation, you must send a letter to your tax centre. Include:

• Your old and new legal names;
• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN);
• Your signature;
• An original or certified true copy of a legal name change document (e.g., a name change certificate from a provincial or territorial vital statistics department or a court order).

Important Notes

• The CRA does **not** accept name changes online or by email — they must be done by phone, mail or fax.
• Telling the CRA about your name change **does not automatically update** your name with other government departments (e.g., Service Canada); you need to notify them separately.
• If you are simply reverting to a previous name that is already on CRA records, you may be able to make that change by phone without documentation.