Do you go by a different first name than the one on your health card or driver’s license? If the usual given name you use is listed on your birth certificate, you can make it official. You’ll need to apply to substitute your usual given name through the Directeur de l’état civil (registrar of civil status). This option is simpler and less expensive than a full legal name change.
In practice, substituting your usual given name lets you have a different first name on your ID. It also lets you use this name to exercise your civil rights, like getting health care, signing a lease, getting married, entering a civil union, joining a gym or suing someone.
Your “usual given name” is the first name shown on your ID. It’s meant to be the first name you use in everyday life. But sometimes, that name isn’t the correct one, or isn’t the one you prefer. By substituting your usual given name, you can replace your usual given name with one of the other first or middle names listed on your birth certificate.
Who can apply to substitute their usual given name?
You can apply to substitute your usual given name with another if:
- the other name is listed as a first or middle name on your birth certificate,
- you’ve lived in Quebec for at least one year,
- you’ve never applied to substitute your usual given name before.
Important: You can only apply to substitute your usual given name once. If you want to change this name again later, you’ll need to apply for a legal name change.
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Did you know? If you were born outside Quebec and don’t have a Quebec birth certificate, you can still apply to substitute your usual given name. You must first fill out the form for inserting an act of civil status made outside Quebec into the Quebec register of civil status to have your birth certificate added to Quebec’s register of civil status. Once that’s done, you can apply to substitute your usual given name, using the process explained below. |
How to change your usual given name
Here are the steps for applying to substitute your usual given name:
- Fill out the form “Application to Substitute the Usual Given Name”. If the application is for a person under 14, the person’s parent or guardian must fill out the form. If it’s for someone 14 or older, the form can be filled out by the person themselves, their parent or their guardian.
- (Optional) Fill out the form “Application for the Simplified Forwarding of Information Following a Change to the Act of Birth”, which is attached to the form “Application to Substitute the Usual Given Name”. It lets you ask the Directeur de l’état civil to inform certain government departments and agencies that you or your child now have a new usual given name.
- (Minors) Send the completed “Application to Substitute the Usual Given Name” to the people who have the right to be involved in this process. If the request is for a minor, you must send it to their parents or guardians. If the child is 14 or older, you must also send it to them directly. Important: In most cases, the Directeur de l’état civil will not process the application unless everyone concerned has been notified. That said, the Directeur de l’état civil can go through with the change without this if it relates to gender identity or another important reason.
- Send the completed “Application to Substitute the Usual Given Name” to the Directeur de l’état civil. Make sure to also send the form “Application for the Simplified Forwarding of Information Following a Change to the Act of Birth” and proof that you notified all people concerned, if applicable.
- Pay the fees. Fees may change from year to year. To find the current fees, visit the website of the Directeur de l’état civil. Important! Your application is free if you wish to change a usual given name you received at a residential school, or if you’ve applied to change your sex designation.
How to object to a minor’s application
A minor’s parents or guardians can object to the minor’s application to substitute their usual given name. A minor who is 14 or older can also object if their parents or guardians made the application on their behalf.
To object, the person must notify both the Directeur de l’état civil and the person asking for the change, within 20 days of receiving notice of the application.
A person can withdraw their objection within 15 days.
The person who applied to substitute their usual given name can respond to the objection. They must send a written response to the Directeur de l’état civil within 15 days of being notified of the objection.
In most cases, the Directeur de l’état civil will not change the usual given name if the parents, guardians, or the minor object. However, they can make the change anyway if it involves gender identity or another important reason.
What are the legal implications of substituting your usual given name?
Once the Directeur de l’état civil processes your application, they will change the birth certificate. They will replace the usual given name on your or your child’s birth certificate with the new name you’ve asked for. You’ll then receive a letter confirming that the change was made.
The Directeur de l’état civil then publishes a notice to inform the public and certain government departments and agencies of your new usual given name or your minor child’s new usual given name. This new name becomes official 15 days after the notice is published.
However, there are three cases in which the new usual given name becomes official sooner:
- You get a special exemption from the Minister of Justice.
- Your application is related to a change in gender identity.
- Your application is for a child under six months old.
In these three cases, the new usual given name becomes official on the day the Directeur de l’état civil changes the birth certificate.
Once this new name is official, you’ll need to let government departments and agencies know about the change if you have a file with them. You will need to show them your new birth certificate to prove you substituted your usual given name.
The Directeur de l’état civil can inform certain government departments and agencies on your behalf. To allow them to do this, you need to fill out the form “Application for the Simplified Forwarding of Information Following a Change to the Act of Birth”, which is attached to the application for substituting your usual given name.
You don’t need to do anything to inform the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and Retraite Québec. These government agencies will be informed automatically that you substituted your usual given name.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re all set! You can now use your new name for ID purposes and exercise your civil rights.
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Did you know? Substituting your usual given name doesn’t mean you have to start over legally speaking.
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