Oh yeah. I already have searched multiple threads. Couldn't find it, if you could then let me know. I appreciate it.
Hi,
I became a Canadian citizen back in Oct 2024, and right after that I applied for a legal change of name in BC. Last week, I received in the mail my certificate of change of name, and now I want to apply for my first Canadian passport. My current IDs all have my old name, but I do have the certificate. I wanted to know if I can apply to a new Canadian passport under my new name by submitting my current ID with the old name AND the certificate of change of name. Obviously, the new passport would need to show my new name.
I could wait to have my name updated on MSP first and then get a...
Not every case is identical. Generally if you have new Canadian-issued ID (esp photo ID) in a 'new' name, you can get IRCC to accept it.
Not always. This is basically a 'customary' (common law) change of name which most provinces will accept, but there are no clear or specific or consistent rules. It works best/most easily when someone is using a name that is clearly and obviously a derivation of their 'documented' legal name, eg shortened form of a name, dropping a middle name, using a middle name, sometimes slight spelling variations.
This /tends to/ include eg Indian names where all was as given name or no given name or dropping some honorific/extra names.
I can't tell what case yours is. If you changed it in your original (home country) passport, easier.
One other point of importance: if you go the 'customary' name change route (also the legal one), you really need to be consistent and change *everything* and use that one name consistently. Some minor exceptions like if you use one name for public work (like a stage name) or a slightly different 'social' name (primarily when couples retain their unmarried names but use a combined or single one as a couple solely for social/family matters).
OR: if you want to do it the infallible but slower way, search change of name in your province. Takes 2-6 months (usually). This will work.
[Caveat that Quebec is anywhere from a little bit to completely different for some civil matters - incl name changes.]