Update your marital status with the Canada Revenue Agency
How to update your marital status
Let the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) know in one of these ways:
- log in to MyBenefits CRA or MyCRA on our mobile apps page
- select “Manage profile details” and use “Update marital status”
- log in to My Account
- select “Manage personal details” and use “Change my marital status”
- call the CRA at 1-800-387-1193
- fill out Form RC65, Marital Status Change, and send it to the CRA
Note
If you get working income tax benefit advance payments, send a new working income tax benefit advance payments application to the CRA. If you do not send a new application, your advance payments will stop until the CRA receives it. The application deadline date is August 31 every year.
When to update your marital status
Update your marital status as soon as it changes, even if you are living common‑law.
Exception
If you separate because of a breakdown in your relationship, wait 90 days from the date you started living separate and apart to update your marital status. This makes sure you get the right benefit payment amounts (see the following example).
Example
If you separate from your spouse or common-law partner on June 20, tell the CRA about the change after September 18 in My Account.
What is living common-law?
You are living common-law when you live in a marriage-like relationship with another person, but you are not legally married to that person. Your common-law relationship has started when one of the following situations happens:
- you and your common-law partner have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months in a row (including any time you were separated for less than 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship)
- you have a child with your common-law partner naturally or through adoption, no matter how long you have been living together
- your common-law partner has custody and control of your child (or had custody and control immediately before your child turned 19 years of age) and your child completely depends on your partner for support
Note
Living common-law also applies to same-sex partners who meet the above conditions, and they will have the same tax rights and responsibilities.
Forms and publications
- General income tax and benefit package - Guide, return and schedules
- T4114 Canada Child Benefits (including related provincial, and territorial programs)
- RC4210 GST/HST Credit including related provincial credits and benefits
Related services and information
- Child and family benefits
- Life events
- Validating your eligibility for benefits and credits
- Contact information - child and family benefits
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