Updating My PR Card

[RuthyB]

Hello again. This may be obvious and I may already know the answer, but I really don't want to lie to Immigration, please understand where I coming from.

I am updating my PR card to reflect my new last name (to my husband's last name). I became a PR on December 15th, 2025, so I have not been a PR for anywhere near five years. On the last page I need to fill out, Time Outside of Canada, it asks me if I have lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years. It says nothing about since being a PR. Since April 10th, 2025, I lived in the United States. But since April 11th, 2025 and since I became a PR in December, I haven't even left the province where I live, let alone the country.

I want to believe they are asking since I became a PR, but don't wanna lie if they really mean in the past 5 years. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[canuck78]

You don’t typically update your PR card especially a few months later just for a name change. Carry a copy of your marriage registration if you need it as proof during travel. Your spouse is a citizen did they sponsor you? When did you get married?

 

[RuthyB]

You don’t typically update your PR card especially a few months later just for a name change. Carry a copy of your marriage registration if you need it as proof during travel. Your spouse is a citizen did they sponsor you? When did you get married?

We were married April 8th, 2025 and he is sponsoring me.

I'm only doing it for MSP, they asked for my PR card, scanned it and uploaded it. Then it asked if my name had changed, yes, as my PR card and ID do not having matching names. It wanted proof. The proof did not include wedding registration but a PR card.

Is there something really obvious that I am missing?

 

[steaky]

We were married April 8th, 2025 and he is sponsoring me.

I'm only doing it for MSP, they asked for my PR card, scanned it and uploaded it. Then it asked if my name had changed, yes, as my PR card and ID do not having matching names. It wanted proof. The proof did not include wedding registration but a PR card.

Is there something really obvious that I am missing?

But PR card is your ID. According to the website, it says:

To update or confirm status in Canada, you will be required to upload one or more of the following (depending on immigration status):

• Canadian Passport
• Permanent Resident Card (front and back)
• Work Permit
• Study Permit
• Visitor Permit
• Landed Immigration Documents
• Permit indicating Religious Worker
• Confirmation of your religious service from your religious order
• Foil from your diplomatic passport

So you only upload the PR card.

 

[RuthyB]

But PR card is your ID. According to the website, it says:

To update or confirm status in Canada, you will be required to upload one or more of the following (depending on immigration status):

• Canadian Passport
• Permanent Resident Card (front and back)
• Work Permit
• Study Permit
• Visitor Permit
• Landed Immigration Documents
• Permit indicating Religious Worker
• Confirmation of your religious service from your religious order
• Foil from your diplomatic passport

So you only upload the PR card.

The MSP form asks me if my name has changed. It has. My PR card is in my maiden name, and my BCID is in my married name. I click yes, and it asks me for another PR card or Record of Landing. That is why I thought I needed to update my PR card.

 

[steaky]

The MSP form asks me if my name has changed. It has. My PR card is in my maiden name, and my BCID is in my married name. I click yes, and it asks me for another PR card or Record of Landing. That is why I thought I needed to update my PR card.

Wondered why you use your husband last name with your BCID, while you can keep your maiden name.

Anyways, contact MSP.

 

[RuthyB]

Wondered why you use your husband last name with your BCID, while you can keep your maiden name.

Anyways, contact MSP.

I have a lot of issues with my given last name (long story about my father), and I love how my husband's last name sounds.

My husband thinks he figured it out. Fingers crossed that he did.

Thank you for all your help. I think I just needed a fresh pair of eyes to read what I was reading and I panicked and came here lol But seriously, thank you for all the help (both current and in the past)

 

[armoured]

Hello again. This may be obvious and I may already know the answer, but I really don't want to lie to Immigration, please understand where I coming from.

I am updating my PR card to reflect my new last name (to my husband's last name). I became a PR on December 15th, 2025, so I have not been a PR for anywhere near five years. On the last page I need to fill out, Time Outside of Canada, it asks me if I have lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years. It says nothing about since being a PR. Since April 10th, 2025, I lived in the United States. But since April 11th, 2025 and since I became a PR in December, I haven't even left the province where I live, let alone the country.

I want to believe they are asking since I became a PR, but don't wanna lie if they really mean in the past 5 years. Any help would be appreciated.

You can apply to get a new pr card based on change of name. That's not an issue. Just follow the instructions. Don't know why anyone would question that - and indeed if you changed it legally you should update it. (Note sometimes issue with having passport and PR card in sync - you can show you changed your name by carrying the legal basis i.e. marriage certificate - but sometimes in some countries/airports they may find this confusing. Best to have both in same name).

This doesn't address the BC insurance issue - speak to them.

As for the years before - just tell the truth. Show addresses where you lived before. They will most likely not care about those addresses before but keep it simple, tell the truth.