Different name on passport and PR

[Nadik]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

 

[steaky]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Don't know how soon you are going to leave Canada.

But before you go, you could also change your name in Canada and the name in your PR card too. Afterwards, you can have same names in both your passport and PR card on your return from your home country.

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=721&top=4

 

[armoured]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

 

[Nadik]

Don't know how soon you are going to leave Canada.

But before you go, you could also change your name in Canada and the name in your PR card too. Afterwards, you can have same names in both your passport and PR card on your return from your home country.

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=721&top=4

I actually didn't know this is a possibility. I researched quite a long time ago but last time I checked I read that it's extremely hard to change a last name in Quebec, so I didn't go that route.
anyway now it's too late since I'm leaving in 3 weeks, thank you lots!

 

[Nadik]

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

That's a good question, I'm not sure about that but I will call them today and ask.
Would the old passport not be enough as proof?
thank you

 

[armoured]

That's a good question, I'm not sure about that but I will call them today and ask.
Would the old passport not be enough as proof?
thank you

Generally, no: they're going to want to see some document that confirms a change of name, i.e. something that links/confirms that Person A is now known as Person B. It could possibly bear a different name in other jurisdictions but best is to find out, based on the legal framework that lets you change your name (even if only adopting now the name of your other parent).

There COULD be exceptions in some jurisdictions for things that are well known - eg in France for a very long time (don't know about now) women could get passports in their maiden names - but don't assume without confirming.

 

[Nadik]

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

Ok so I checked and I can request for an official government document that proves my name changing, but it will be in the native language, so not in English.
I guess that I will need to officially translate it to English but if that's it then I'm pretty confident!

Is there anything else that might be needed? I will have my old passport and this document with me.
Thank you for all your help!

 

[armoured]

Ok so I checked and I can request for an official government document that proves my name changing, but it will be in the native language, so not in English.
I guess that I will need to officially translate it to English but if that's it then I'm pretty confident!

Is there anything else that might be needed? I will have my old passport and this document with me.
Thank you for all your help!

Yes, get that document translated/notarized (just as you would have done for docs for your PR application, and have old/new passports with you.

That should be enough. (Can't guarantee as there are airlines in the way...)

When you're back in Canada, apply for a new PR card with the new name (there's info on site about how to do so) and change your other documents too.