# Legal Name Changes

> Everything you need to know about legal name changes as a registered occupational therapist in Ontario.

When an occupational therapist applies for registration with us, they must provide their legal first and last name as well as any previous legal names. We also collect their preferred name to use in their practice, which may differ from their legal name. All names appear on the public register on our website once an occupational therapist is issued their registration.

Occupational therapists can log into their profile on the COTO Portal and submit a legal name change request there. Requests must include formal proof of the new name, such as:

Marriage certificate

Name change certificate

Citizenship/immigration status document

Legal document using the requested name

Final divorce certificate

Birth certificate

Once the legal name change request is submitted, our registration team will review both the request and the provided documents.

If all processes are completed in full, the request will be approved and the public register on our website will be updated with your new name. Your former legal name will also display under ‘Other’ names. A new wall certificate with your new legal name will be mailed out.

Occupational therapists can log into their profile on the COTO Portal at any time and change their preferred name themselves. Changing their preferred name online will also update our public register with the new preferred name.