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Canadian passport with given name "XXX", will OCI have "XXX" too ?

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
15,363
7,831
Hi There,

You have mentioned that to apply for a Canadian passport, we can use the old Citizenship certificate with old name. But you apply for the new passport, it asks for what document you will be submitting with new passport application(birth certificate, if you are born in Canada, or Citizenship certificate if you are born outside of Canada). What did you use at that time?
You show the citizenship certificate plus the name change documentation.
 

navid2014

Hero Member
Jul 9, 2014
529
159
Hi Navid,

I am in the same boat. One question to you: did you apply for surrender certificate before (or in parallel to) the name change application?

I am thinking of following the below timeline. Could you please review and provide your feedback
1a) Apply for surrender certificate with old name (Indian PP - First Name: John Wick, Last Name: Blank; Canadian PP - Last Name: John Wick, First Name: xxx).
1b) Apply for provincial name change

1a) and 1b) are in parallel

2) Once name change received, apply for provincial documents and new Canadian PP.
3) Apply for OCI with the new name.

The only thing that I am concerned about is that the surrender cert and OCI applications will be with different name which I guess is fine as confirmed with multiple people here.

Thanks in advance.
Yes I went with the same process which you described above.

Went with Surrender Cert with Old name and in parallel applied for name change cert with the province.

Then updated Provincial IDs & Canadian Passport & applied for OCI with name change cert.
 

jagga

Hero Member
Feb 25, 2011
491
13
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
New delhi
App. Filed.......
10 June 2014
Med's Request
2 feb 2016- remedical
Med's Done....
5 feb 2016-remedical
Interview........
1 feb 2016 (Application approved)
Passport Req..
8 MAY 2017
VISA ISSUED...
17 MAY 2017
LANDED..........
20 MAY 2017
Hi guys, Did anyone get their OCI applied and approved with XXX on given name, i dont mind XXX on my OCI.
THANKS.
 

akash JAGDEV

Newbie
Feb 10, 2014
6
0
You show the citizenship certificate plus the name change documentation.
Just to confirm:

The old citizenship Certificate with a single name. and the name change document with a new name. That is what i need to show to apply for a new passport.

As in the message, before it is mentioned that a citizenship certificate takes up to 17 months, i don't want to wait for that long. So with the old citizenship certificate, i can still apply for a new passport, providing the name change document.
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
15,363
7,831
Just to confirm:

The old citizenship Certificate with a single name. and the name change document with a new name. That is what i need to show to apply for a new passport.

As in the message, before it is mentioned that a citizenship certificate takes up to 17 months, i don't want to wait for that long. So with the old citizenship certificate, i can still apply for a new passport, providing the name change document.
Yes. Exactly. You do not need to wait for the new citizenship certificate.

But read the instructions. I haven't looked at whether they are asking you to show 'other ID' at same time, I assume they do (photo ID for example), in my opinion there is no need to get names changed on those. But you may wish to check with passport office.

If you're in a major city, I'd say go straight to passport office and apply thre, bring everything you can think of, check the forms carefully before, and be sure to have at least one ID with photograph.
 

vishnu2709

Newbie
Dec 8, 2022
1
0
Hi All, I had the same issue with my name on Indian Passport with blank Surname. I will use John Smith as an example name.

Indian Passport: Given Name : John Smith Surname : Blank
Canada Passport: Given Name : XXX Surname : John Smith
Canada Citizenship Certificate: Given Name : XXX Surname : John Smith
OCI : Given Name : XXX Surname: John Smith

After receiving OCI with Surname as XXX, I got a legal name change done through Service Ontario and got a LEGAL NAME CHANGE DOCUMENT. This document reflected both Old Name and New Name as follows:
Old Name : John Smith
New Name: Smith, John


I took this LEGAL NAME CHANGE DOCUMENT and as first step, I got a new Canadian Passport issued with new name. So my new Canadian passport has name as follows:
Given Name: John
Surname : Smith
(Note:- Canada Citizenship certificate still has my old name. They don't need Citizenship certificate with new name at this point. They will only see the citizenship certificate with Old Name to validate you are a Canadian citizen).

After receiving new Passport, I applied for OCI Miscellaneous Service to get new OCI with my new name. This process requires
Canada Passport (new name)
Legal Name Change Document
** This application for OCI Miscellaneous Service does NOT require Canadian Citizenship Certificate with new name**
After 6 weeks I received OCI with correct name.
Given Name : John
Surname: Smith

As last step, apply for "Replacement of Citizenship Certificate" after Legal Name Change. This is a time taking process and as per CIC website it takes
17 months to get a new Citizenship Certificate. But the good thing is you don't need this certificate for any day to day process. So you can sit back and wait to get new certificate with new name.

After going through this process, I will say its not super complex and is totally worth it.

NOTE:- It is important to get OCI issued first with old name where your Surname is XXX. The reason is when you apply for fresh OCI you need to submit Citizenship Certificate as one of the mandatory document. But when you apply for OCI Miscellaneous service after Name change you do not have to submit Citizenship Certificate.

So if you change your name first without getting an OCI, and get new Canada Passport with new name, you have to wait until you get new Citizenship Certificate before you can apply for OCI.

Happy to answer any questions if anyone might have.
Thank you for the information. I'm ok with my given name as xxx on OCI. Just to confirm.
1. I can still apply for the OCI, as is with the current canadian passport?
2. Can i travel to india with this OCI and canadian passport, like given name xxx?
Please let me know, it will be really helpful.
 

Hmni

Newbie
Jan 26, 2023
3
0
Hi I have the same problem XXX on cannada passport and OCI. I have traveled to India with no problem.

My DL, health card, certificates bank accounts don't have XXX. Will this be a problem.

I don't mind having XXX in cannada passport and OCI.
 

amitkr123

Newbie
Aug 12, 2022
6
6
Hi I have the same problem XXX on cannada passport and OCI. I have traveled to India with no problem.

My DL, health card, certificates bank accounts don't have XXX. Will this be a problem.

I don't mind having XXX in cannada passport and OCI.
It will not be a problem. Only thing is you might not be able to use DL as ID proof for domestic flights within Canada, as ur name does not match with passport. And also whenever you book flight tickets you have to ensure name matches ur passport. Honestly having XXX does not create any hassle as long as you provide supporting documents matching your name. But getting it changed is totally worth it. Its just consistent in all your documents and you don't have to think which ID to use for which purpose.
 

Hmni

Newbie
Jan 26, 2023
3
0
It will not be a problem. Only thing is you might not be able to use DL as ID proof for domestic flights within Canada, as ur name does not match with passport. And also whenever you book flight tickets you have to ensure name matches ur passport. Honestly having XXX does not create any hassle as long as you provide supporting documents matching your name. But getting it changed is totally worth it. Its just consistent in all your documents and you don't have to think which ID to use for which purpose.
Thanks
What is the best way to change as there are few options mentioned in this thread.
 

amitkr123

Newbie
Aug 12, 2022
6
6
Thanks
What is the best way to change as there are few options mentioned in this thread.
I have explained my process in this thread. The disadvantage with my process is you have to pay twice for Canadian Passport and OCI. But I know the process works as I have personally done it. There are other approach as well mentioned here using affidavit. It purely depends on BLS people, their answers keep changing depending upon who you ask.
 

Hmni

Newbie
Jan 26, 2023
3
0
I have explained my process in this thread. The disadvantage with my process is you have to pay twice for Canadian Passport and OCI. But I know the process works as I have personally done it. There are other approach as well mentioned here using affidavit. It purely depends on BLS people, their answers keep changing depending upon who you ask.
Thanks.
I am also thinking of legal change document route as it's one recruitment for oci.

Does the document need to say.

Xxx + full name say jhon smith

Xxx John smith changed to Jhon SMITH

Or jhon smith changed to jhon given name and smith surname.

I am visiting solicitor soon so to get what to tell them.
 

amitkr123

Newbie
Aug 12, 2022
6
6
Thanks.
I am also thinking of legal change document route as it's one recruitment for oci.

Does the document need to say.

Xxx + full name say jhon smith

Xxx John smith changed to Jhon SMITH

Or jhon smith changed to jhon given name and smith surname.

I am visiting solicitor soon so to get what to tell them.

The name change will show both old and new name. You cannot control the content of legal name change document. In the name change form you have to indicate what your new name will be.
 

chella99

Star Member
Mar 22, 2007
98
2
Has anyone faced any issue with travelling with xxx in given name..?? In a scenario where someone needs to travel for an emergencey ...coz the name change process takes about 2 months..then is it okie to travel with given name as xxx..??
 

footyluv

Star Member
Jan 11, 2016
55
4
So I also have just the 'given name' mentioned in my Indian passport.

So, while filling Canadian application form -

Canada passport Surname - Can I leave this field blank?

Canada passport Given name - I'll write the 'given name' as mentioned in my Indian passport.

Any suggestions?