I.D. Guide

Citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada or access government programs and benefits. Your SIN is linked to your legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. Updating this information will not change your SIN itself; you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail once your update is successful.

Apply to update your SIN when you change your name and/or gender marker. You can submit your application:

• In person: Service Canada Centre, 559 College Street, Suite 100, Toronto ON M6G 1A9
• Online: SIN Online Portal
• By mail: Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst, NB E2A 4T1

For most people, applying in person or online is easiest. You will need to provide three separate identity documents: one primary, one secondary, and one supporting document (for most, this is your Name Change Certificate). See the official list of accepted documents.

If applying online, you may use digital copies of the same documents. Visit the Service Canada SIN portal for details.

If you are updating your sex designation, you may now choose an X marker or choose to not declare your gender. Service Canada will add a note to your record with your choice. However, until their computer systems are upgraded, "male" or "female" will still appear on your SIN record.

After updating your SIN record, you must also notify the Canada Revenue Agency.