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The short answer is no. In Quebec, getting married does not automatically change a wife’s last name to her husband’s—and in fact, it generally cannot be changed just because of marriage.

This rule stems from Quebec’s Civil Code, which was modernized in 1981 as part of a broader effort to promote gender equality and individual identity within marriage. The law states that each spouse retains their birth name for all legal purposes, regardless of marital status. Marriage, in Quebec’s legal framework, is a partnership of equals, not a merger of identities.

Why does Quebec take this approach? Historically, automatic name changes were tied to the idea that a woman’s legal identity was absorbed into her husband’s. Quebec lawmakers deliberately rejected that concept. Keeping one’s birth name protects personal autonomy, professional continuity, and legal clarity. It ensures that marriage does not alter a person’s civil status beyond the rights and obligations that spouses freely assume together.

That said, spouses are not prevented from using another name socially. A woman may informally use her spouse’s last name in daily life if she wishes, but this has no legal effect. On official documents—such as passports, health cards, and driver’s licenses—her birth name remains the only valid surname.

In rare cases, a legal name change is possible through a formal application to the Directeur de l’état civil (Registrar of Civil Status), but marriage alone is not considered a sufficient reason.

If you would like to apply for a name change, please contact our office and we can assist you in this process.