Fees and steps checked on
Canada name change certificate attestation is for people whose UAE paperwork shows two different names, for example a passport in a new name and a degree in the old one. The provincial change of name certificate proves both names belong to you. To be accepted here it needs a Canadian apostille, then the stamp of the UAE Embassy in Ottawa, then MOFA attestation as the last step.
Price: AED 1,900 plus VAT per certificate, ready in 4 to 6 weeks, with every official fee and the courier inside that price. See attestation fees.
Which office issued your certificate
A legal name change in Canada is approved by a province or territory. The vital statistics office there issues the certificate, which shows the previous and the new name.
| Province | Who issues it | Name on the document |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ServiceOntario, Office of the Registrar General | Change of Name Certificate |
| British Columbia | Vital Statistics Agency | Certificate of Change of Name |
| Alberta | Vital Statistics, ordered through a registry agent | Legal Change of Name Certificate |
| Other provinces and territories | the provincial vital statistics office | change of name certificate |
Checked on . A name taken at marriage is a different case. British Columbia says its certificate is not used to switch to a spouse's surname after marriage, so the Canadian marriage certificate does that job.
Where a name mismatch causes trouble in the UAE
- Degree recognition. For MoHESR recognition, the names on your degree, transcript and passport should line up. A gap can hold up an equivalency certificate.
- Employment visa. The name on your attested degree should line up with the passport used for the work permit.
- Family sponsorship. Children's birth certificates may show a parent's old name.
- Professional licences. Health and teaching regulators read your certificates next to your passport.
The general fixes, including affidavits, are explained in name mismatch in attestation.
Getting the certificate through the four stamps
- Notary Public in Canada. If the apostille office needs a notarised copy, a Canadian notary prepares it. We tell you from your photo.
- Apostille. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan each apostille their own name change records. Other provinces, the territories and federal papers go to Global Affairs Canada, formerly DFAT. It does not charge a fee and has no express service. Its queue currently stands at about 25 business days, with 5 to 10 business days of postage.
- UAE Embassy in Ottawa. The appointment is booked through the MOFA portal and VFS Global. You pay online only, and the embassy needs at least 3 to 5 business days.
- MOFA UAE. Done in the UAE, which makes the certificate usable in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.
The apostille alone does not work in the UAE, even though Canada joined the Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, because the UAE is not a member.
What to send us
- The original change of name certificate
- A copy of your current passport
- A copy of the document in your old name, such as the degree, so we check that both names match the certificate exactly
- If you are attesting the degree too, see Canada degree attestation and send both together
Common problems with name change certificates
- Attesting the degree but not the certificate. The UAE office then sees two names with no link between them.
- Several changes over the years. Each step between the old and the new name may need its own linking document.
- Spelling differences. A missing middle name or a different spelling of the old name can still cause a query. Check each letter.
- Photocopies. Only an original with the province's signature or seal can be apostilled.
- French text. A Quebec record may need a legal translation.
Other Canadian records are covered on Canada certificate attestation.
