How to Change Marital Status With the CRA: RC65 Marital Status Change Form

If your marital status has recently changed – whether you got married, entered a common-law relationship, separated (for more than 90 days due to a relationship breakdown), divorced, or were widowed – you must inform the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) promptly. The RC65 Marital Status Change form is the official document you’ll use for this purpose

Updating your marital status with the CRA ensures your benefit and credit payments are correctly calculated. In this post, we’ll walk you through how and when to file the RC65 form, what you’ll need to provide, and the consequences of not reporting your new status properly.

How Do I Notify CRA of Change in Marital Status?

There are four ways you can notify the CRA of your new marital status:

• Online through your CRA My Account
• By phone by calling the CRA directly
• By mail or fax with a completed Form RC65, Marital Status Change
• On your income tax return when you file for the year the change occurred

You must notify the CRA by the end of the month following the month your marital status changed. If your marital status changed in March, you must notify the CRA by the end of April. Don’t wait for tax season to report changes.

What Are the Requirements for Changing Marital Status?

When changing your marital status with the CRA, you may need to provide supporting documents. Here’s what to prepare depending on how you notify them:

If you are filing the change via phone, you must have this information ready to verify your identity:

• Social insurance number (SIN)
• Full name and date of birth
• Complete address
• Assessed tax return, notice of assessment or reassessment, or other tax documents

For those filing through mail or fax, in addition to the RC65 form, you will need to write a letter, including:

• Name
• Phone numbers
• Social insurance number (SIN)
• New marital status
• Date of change
• Signature

If your new status is Married or Living in common-law, you must also include your partner’s name, social insurance number (SIN), and address, if different from yours.

The CRA may also request documents like a marriage certificate or a letter from a third party (e.g., a lawyer or clergy member) to verify the change.

Does CRA Check Marital Status?

Yes, the CRA reviews and verifies changes in marital status. This is because your marital status affects your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI)—a key factor in determining your eligibility for benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST credits, and others.

Once your marital status is updated, the CRA will recalculate your benefit and credit amounts. Any changes (increase or decrease) will take effect the month after the change in status occurred.

What Happens If You Lie to CRA About Your Marital Status?

Providing false information to the CRA is considered fraud and can lead to serious consequences. If you misrepresent your marital status in order to receive higher benefits or credits, the CRA may require you to repay any overpaid amounts, add interest and financial penalties, and potentially deny you future benefits. In more severe cases, the CRA may refer the matter for criminal prosecution. To avoid unnecessary stress, financial hardship, or legal trouble, it’s always best to be truthful and report any changes to your marital status as soon as they occur.

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