Posted on by Flann Financial Group

Name and Address Changes for Newlyweds (in BC)

So you got married. Excellent! Are you taking their name? Have you now moved in together?

 

See below for all the places you need to update your name and address, and how exactly to do it in British Columbia!

 

This guide is broken down into 2 sections. If you aren’t making a name change, skip down to section 2  to learn how to just make the address and marital status changes you need.

 

An additional step you can take is to pay for mail forwarding from Canada Post for 4 months or 1 year. All your various subscriptions and bills will be redirected to your new address, and as they arrive be sure to update your address with them if you haven’t already done so.

 

1. Last Name, Marital Status, and Address Changes

After receiving your marriage certificate in the mail, you can use it as proof and make a change to either spouse’s last name. No legal name change is required. At the same time, update your address with the same institutions if you have moved.

 

See the list of items and their contact information in the order you should complete them in the table at the end of this section.

 

Driver’s License

ICBC requires that you update your address within 10 days of moving. You can update your address with ICBC and MSP at the same time, with a simple online form. Alternatively, you can do it in person at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

 

Once you’ve received your marriage certificate in the mail, you can update either spouse’s last name. Start with your driver’s license and BC Health Services Card (if separate). Name changes must be done in-person and you will be required to pay for a new license. Take your marriage certificate into an ICBC Driver Licensing Office to update your name and your address.

 

You will receive a temporary driver’s license (“the yellow one”) until you receive your card in the mail (up to 3 weeks). You cannot update your passport using a temporary driver’s license, which is why you should update your driver’s license first.

 

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID Card (EIC)

If you have an EDL or EIC instead of a regular driver’s license, you must apply for a new one at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

 

Car Insurance

Update your name and address on your car insurance at any ICBC Autoplan Broker office.

 

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

You must keep your name, address, and marital status up to date for your MSP account. This can all be done online.

 

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

You must update your marital status with the CRA before the end of the month after the month of your wedding. You can do this online via your CRA My Account or or by calling the CRA directly.

 

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You must update the name on your SIN at a Services Canada Office. This is free of charge.

 

Passport

You must apply for an updated passport at a Services Canada Office and the application cannot be done with a temporary driver’s license. If you have updated your driver’s license, you must wait for it to arrive in the mail and use it to apply for a new passport. Unfortunately, it is not enough to just complete a renewal as a name change requires a full, new passport application.

 

If you’re changing your last name, you can continue to use your current passport without an updated name. However, you must carry proof of the name change (i.e your marriage certificate) with you whenever you use your passport, and not all jurisdictions may accept this. You are better off paying the fee for a new 5 or 10 year passport with your married name on it.

 

Elections Canada

You can update your address with Elections Canada online, but name changes require a physical form. Check online if your name has been updated in their system first.

 

Elections BC

You can update both your address and name with Elections BC online.

 

Banking and Financial Matters

Updates to banking information and other financial matters will have specific instructions, depending on the bank. Generally, you are required to go into a bank branch to make changes. Credit cards simply require you to call the service number on the back.

 

Employer Information

Make sure that you update your employer of any changes to addresses, names, and banking information, plus marital status for group benefits

 

ID/Institution

  • Contact

Driver’s License, BC Health Services Card

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), Enhanced ID Card (EIC)

  • ICBC Driver Licensing Office

Car Insurance

  • ICBC Autoplan Broker

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

  • Name Change: 1-800-959-8281
  • Marital Status: CRA My Account  or 1-800-387-1193

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Passport (new, not a renewal)

Elections Canada

Elections BC

Bank Account(s)

  • Typically bank branch(es)

Credit Card(s)

  • Phone Number on Card

Insurance Policies

  • Contact Number on Policies

Loan(s)

Utility Companies

Phone Companies

Doctor’s Office

Dentist’s Office

Clubs/Memberships

TOP

2. Marital Status and Address Changes Only

If you are not updating your last name, the process is simpler. Make sure to update your address with the appropriate institutions if you have moved.

 

We have listed the items and their contact information in the chart above.

 

Driver’s License and Medical Services Plan (MSP)

ICBC requires that you update your address within 10 days of moving. You can update your address with ICBC and MSP at the same time, with a simple online form. Alternatively, you can do it in person at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

 

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID Card (EIC)

If you have an EDL or EIC instead of a regular driver’s license, you must apply for a new one at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

 

Car Insurance

Update your address on your car insurance at any ICBC Autoplan Broker office.

 

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

You must update your marital status with the CRA before the end of the month after the month of your wedding. You can do this online via your CRA My Account or by calling the CRA directly.

 

Elections Canada

You can update your address with Elections Canada online.

 

Elections BC

You can update your address with Elections BC online.

 

Banking and Financial Matters

Updates to banking information and other financial matters will have specific instructions, depending on the bank. Generally, you are required to go into a bank branch to make changes. Credit cards simply require you to call the service number on the back.

 

Employer Information

Make sure that you update your employer of any changes to addresses, names, and banking information, plus marital status for group benefits.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions on the specifics of any of this, feel free to email us !

 

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