Updating Your Child’s Address and Records in Canada

Canada · Checked 17 September 2026

The main records to check

• School or childcare contact details and residence requirements.
• Provincial or territorial health-plan registration.
• Canada Revenue Agency records for benefits, address and marital status.
• Any parenting agreement or order with notice requirements.

How do child benefits handle two homes?

The Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, uses actual care and residence. For the Canada child benefit, it generally treats a child living with each parent 40% to 60% of the time as shared custody.

Both eligible parents apply. Each receives half of the amount calculated using their own family income. Parents cannot simply agree that the full payment goes to one of them if the agency’s shared-care rules apply.

Does one address decide who is in charge?

No. A school or tax record does not give a parent all the responsibility for important decisions. The agreement, court order and applicable law still matter.

School boards and health plans may need different documents. Their own instructions explain what to send.

If the update follows a move

Divorce Act cases have notice rules for address changes and additional rules for relocations that significantly affect relationships. Other cases may follow provincial or territorial rules.

Updating school or tax details does not replace any required notice about a move.

This guide explains general rules and services. It does not assess your individual case.

Based on the original article by Elisabeth Scholander.