After Divorce Checklist Alberta: Everything to Do Once It's Final

Your divorce judgment is signed and the 31-day appeal period has passed. You're legally single. But your bank still lists your ex on your mortgage, your pension hasn't been divided, your RRSP beneficiary designations haven't changed, and half a dozen government agencies still show your married name.

A divorce order doesn't automatically untangle anything. Here's the administrative sequence — in the order that actually matters.

Week 1: Certificate and Name

Get your Certificate of Divorce. After the 31-day period, request it from the Court of King's Bench Judicial Centre where your claim was filed, using your Court File Number and the Judicial Centre name. Fee: $40; processing is approximately 10 business days. This document unlocks everything else.

Revert your name (if desired). If your birth record was not formally changed, restore a previously held surname by bringing your Certificate of Divorce and original birth certificate to any Alberta Registry Agent. This administrative restoration has no government application fee; standard pro-rated registry service fees may apply. No formal name change application is required. You receive a temporary paper licence while the new card is mailed (21 days).

Update your driver's licence. Alberta law requires this within 14 days of a name change. Same registry agent visit handles both the name reversion and the licence update.

Week 2: Health and Federal ID

Separate AHCIP accounts. Complete Form AHC2213 (Notice of Change/Deletion) to remove your ex from your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan account, and Form AHC2211 (Notice of Change/Update) for your own name or address update. If you have children, allocate them to one parent's account per your custody agreement. Deadline: 30 days after divorce or separation.

Update your SIN. Contact Service Canada to update your name on your Social Insurance Number. This is free and can be done in person or by mail. Your SIN number stays the same.

Apply for a new passport. If your name has changed, apply for a new passport ($120–$160). Check Passport Canada's current processing time when you apply.

Week 3: Financial Accounts

Close joint bank accounts. Banks frequently require both parties' physical presence or written consent. Clear all balances first. Open a new sole account at a different institution if you haven't already.

Close joint credit cards and lines of credit. Pay off or transfer balances according to your separation agreement. Request written confirmation of account closure.

Redirect pre-authorized payments. Update every automatic payment, utility bill, and direct deposit to your new sole account. Miss one and a payment bounces — or goes to an account your ex can access.

Week 4: Property and Mortgage

Execute the Transfer of Land. If one spouse is keeping the family home, file the Transfer of Land document at the Alberta Land Titles Office. The package requires the relevant separation agreement or court order and the applicable Dower Consent/Affidavit.

Release the mortgage liability. A title transfer does not remove the departing spouse from the mortgage. Obtain a new sole mortgage or refinance, or a formal release of covenant from the lender, to release your ex from liability.

Update home and auto insurance. Remove your ex from policies, update your address if you've moved, and ensure coverage reflects your current situation.

Month 2: Retirement and Pensions

Divide workplace pensions. File a Spousal Pension Division Instruction with your pension administrator (LAPP, ATRF, UAPP, or private plan). Attach a certified copy of your court order or agreement.

Apply for the CPP credit split. Complete Service Canada Form ISP1901. Credits accumulated during cohabitation are split 50/50 unless a valid Alberta opt-out waiver applies. No time limit for divorces finalized on or after January 1, 1987.

Execute RRSP/RRIF/TFSA transfers. Use CRA Form T2220 to transfer your ex's share between registered plans tax-free. This must be a direct transfer between plans to avoid withholding tax.

Month 2–3: Estate Planning

Update beneficiary designations. Your divorce does not automatically remove your ex as beneficiary on RRSPs, TFSAs, or life insurance. Contact each institution individually.

Revoke Powers of Attorney. Unlike wills, Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives are not automatically revoked by divorce. Execute new ones immediately.

Update your will. Section 25 of the Wills and Succession Act automatically revokes gifts and executor or trustee appointments to your ex in your will — but it's still best practice to execute a new will reflecting your current wishes and new executor.

Month 3: Tax and Benefits

Notify CRA of your marital status change. Report using Form RC65, My Account, or by calling CRA. Deadline: the end of the month following the change.

Recalculate Canada Child Benefit. CRA recalculates CCB based on your individual income once you report the status change. This may increase your monthly payments significantly.

Claim GST/HST credit. Your new single-income status may qualify you for additional GST/HST credits. CRA recalculates automatically once your status is updated.

The Full Administrative Sequence

This overview covers the highlights, but there are dozens of sub-steps, specific forms, and agency-specific requirements for each task. The Alberta After-Divorce Checklist provides the complete step-by-step sequence — every form number, every deadline, every document you need — organized in the order that prevents costly mistakes.

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