Legal name change with PR - 3 questions

[blueflags]

Hi there!

I am looking to update my PR card after having a legal name change. and am confused on a couple of points.

Three questions:

1) Do I need to send in my current PR card with my application when doing a legal name change? I'm unclear about whether this falls under "renew" or "replace".

2) When I get my new PR card with my updated name, will it be valid for 5 years from the date of issue, or will I still have to renew my PR card again at its current expiry date in Nov 2024?

3) Should I update my name on my US passport or my PR card first?

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[KaiAT]

1) You should do the application online under renew, not replace.

2) I believe it will be valid for five years from the renewal date, but I'm not 100% sure on this one, so I will leave it up to someone else to answer.

3) You need to update the name on your US Passport first before you can update it on your PR Card. The PR card is used for travel, so if your passport and PR card have different names, then you may not be able to travel.

 

[RuthyB]

1) You should do the application online under renew, not replace.

2) I believe it will be valid for five years from the renewal date, but I'm not 100% sure on this one, so I will leave it up to someone else to answer.

3) You need to update the name on your US Passport first before you can update it on your PR Card. The PR card is used for travel, so if your passport and PR card have different names, then you may not be able to travel.

What if you are not planning to travel outside of Canada? Do you still need to update your US passport?

 

[KaiAT]

What if you are not planning to travel outside of Canada? Do you still need to update your US passport?

No, a family member did this recently after a legal name change. They did not update their name on their passport, and attached a letter of explanation indicating they did not want to change the name on their citizenship passport. IRCC accepted that and issued them a PR card under their new name.