​​​Changing your Surname After Marriage

Once you are married, you can change your surname/last name to:

  • the surname of your spouse
  • a hyphenated form of your surname and the surname of your spouse – note that a surname can only be composed of two separate names joined by a hyphen (e.g. Smith-Jones)
  • your pre-marriage surname
  • your birth surname

If you will be using one of these options, you DO NOT need to apply for a legal name change. You simply begin using your new preferred last name. You may want to update your name at your workplace, your banking institution, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), and Update your Health Card with eHealth Saskatchewan. Some institutions, such as SGI, will require a legal marriage certificate in order to update your last name.

If you want to change your surname after you get married in a way that does not accord with the rules set out above, then you will need to apply for a legal name change.

Name Changes for Common-Law Spouses

If you have a Common-Law spouse and you want to change your name, you must file a declaration to that effect. Please contact us for more information.

What to do After a Name Change

If you change your name after being married, divorced, widowed, or having a ​marriage legally annulled, you may want to contact your banking institution, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), and Update your Health Card.

Contact Us


Toll Free: 1-800-667-7551 (Canada and US) 
Phone: 306-787-3251 
Fax: 306-787-8951 
Email: vitalstatistics@ehealthsask.ca

Phone service: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Walk-in service:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday to Friday Excluding Statutory Holidays