See more examples of results we’ve achieved (external link) on this topic.
Ready to make a complaint?
Learn more about our work in this area
- Certificates and permits trends and cases (external link) (2023-2024 Annual Report)
- Investigations
We can help solve your problems with getting certificates and permits in Ontario. If you’re experiencing delays, customer service problems or other challenges, we’re here to help. Our services are confidential and free.
For example, we can help you with:
- Long waits to receive your driver’s licence or other identification
- Errors in your own or your child’s birth certificate
- Issues with marriage certificates or death certificates
- Problems in changing the name or gender on your identification
- Work permit or licence concerns
You can complain to us about:
- ServiceOntario
- Registrar General
- Driver licensing (see Transportation)
- Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) cards (see Health)
- Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
- Your municipality’s permit or licensing office
There are some things we can’t do. We can’t:
- Issue, cancel or change certificates or permits
- Ignore or change the rules for getting certificates and permits
- Reverse decisions of elected officials
If we can’t help, we’ll tell you who can.
Still have questions?
- See the full list of organizations you can complain about
- Read our Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact us with your questions
How we’ve helped
Discover how our team has helped people deal with their concerns about certificates and permits in Ontario:
What’s in a name?
A woman who immigrated to Canada as a child sought our help in changing her name on official documents. The Office of the Registrar General had raised questions because the name on her birth certificate and certificate of landing in Canada differed from that on later documents, when her mother changed it to an anglicized version
Special(ist) Case
A transgender man complained to our Office because he was having difficulty obtaining an updated birth certificate from the Registrar General. Individuals can change the gender designation on their birth certificate if they submit certain documentation, including a letter from a physician.