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Name Split

manu.yoganand

Star Member
Dec 28, 2017
133
86
If you reside in Ontario, you can split your given name by applying for a name change certificate.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-name#section-0

Once you obtain the name change certificate, you can then change the name in bank account, driving license, health card by visiting any Service Ontario centre.

You can then change your name in SIN by visiting any Service Canada centre.

Then you can change the name in your PR card by submitting a renewal application.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace.html

Simultaneously, assuming you are an Indian passport holder, you can split your name in your passport too.

http://www.blsindia-canada.com/new_ppt.php

As someone who has done all the above process, I can say that it will take around 5 to 6 months. Good luck :)

Hi Vishal,
This is required if you are doing a Legal Name Change. You don't need to do this if you are splitting your name.
For name split simply get your Indian passport corrected. Once you have a corrected passport reach out to CIC to correct your PR card. Post that get your DL, OHIP and SIN corrected
 

tankala13

Hero Member
Feb 22, 2012
280
63
Hi Vishal,
This is required if you are doing a Legal Name Change. You don't need to do this if you are splitting your name.
For name split simply get your Indian passport corrected. Once you have a corrected passport reach out to CIC to correct your PR card. Post that get your DL, OHIP and SIN corrected
I did around 5 years back. May be this got changed. Thanks for updating though.
 

vishalv

Hero Member
Jul 5, 2015
990
268
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
ADVO
App. Filed.......
22-07-2016
Passport Req..
13-01-2016
VISA ISSUED...
28-02-2016
LANDED..........
12-03-2016
Hi Vishal,
This is required if you are doing a Legal Name Change. You don't need to do this if you are splitting your name.
For name split simply get your Indian passport corrected. Once you have a corrected passport reach out to CIC to correct your PR card. Post that get your DL, OHIP and SIN corrected
You have a point mate. I thought the same thing too. When I reached out to Service Canada, the agent there told me that even if my passport would be corrected, they wouldn't correct my SIN number. They told me they would accept only a document such as Name change document. Hence, the reason for me applying for the same.
 

manu.yoganand

Star Member
Dec 28, 2017
133
86
You have a point mate. I thought the same thing too. When I reached out to Service Canada, the agent there told me that even if my passport would be corrected, they wouldn't correct my SIN number. They told me they would accept only a document such as Name change document. Hence, the reason for me applying for the same.
Well, I did mine in 2017.. and didnt have to go through a legal name change. Just get my passport corrected, then the PR card.. then other documents.
 

vishalv

Hero Member
Jul 5, 2015
990
268
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
ADVO
App. Filed.......
22-07-2016
Passport Req..
13-01-2016
VISA ISSUED...
28-02-2016
LANDED..........
12-03-2016
Well, I did mine in 2017.. and didnt have to go through a legal name change. Just get my passport corrected, then the PR card.. then other documents.
That was fortunate.
 

vishalv

Hero Member
Jul 5, 2015
990
268
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
ADVO
App. Filed.......
22-07-2016
Passport Req..
13-01-2016
VISA ISSUED...
28-02-2016
LANDED..........
12-03-2016
The key to his success, I believe is to get your PR card corrected before SIN card. If you get your PR card corrected, they should be willing to accept that.
Yes that probably would have worked. In the end, the name change process is behind me :)
 

maverick1

Member
Oct 23, 2019
10
0
Hi,
I had the same problem. My passport had only given name, because of which my COPR and PR card had captured everything under last name.

I have got everything rectified now, without getting any affidavit or legal name change procedure or name change request through any provincial offices.

1 - Submit a letter to BLS (along with passport application form to get a new passport with first name and last name) explaining the error and why you could not get it rectified earlier. (In my case the PR application was under process). - Got my new passport in 20 days

2 - Once you receive the updated passport - Submit similar letter to CIC explaining the error, along with other documents - Application form (Do not tick legal name change as you are not legally changing your name) + Cancelled page of old passport showing the new passport number and copy of the new passport showing old passport number, ensure you mention this also in the letter) + copy of the letter you submitted to BLS + any other documents. - Got my New PR card in 72 Days, Please note COPR will not change, only PR card will issued with a new name.

3 - Got my SIN, Driver Licence and Health Card updated.

Its an easy process if your letter is crisp and explains things clearly. Let me know if you have any doubts.

- Manu
Hi Manu.. I am also in a similar situation. Your comments & advise are very encouraging , need two clarifications

1) Which application form should be used for getting the same rectified.
2) What should be ticked on the form Renewal of PR card / Replace a lost ,stolen , destroyed or never received PR card

Request for your inputs although its been 3.5 yrs since the time u applied.

Thanks !
 

manu.yoganand

Star Member
Dec 28, 2017
133
86
Hi Manu.. I am also in a similar situation. Your comments & advise are very encouraging , need two clarifications

1) Which application form should be used for getting the same rectified.
2) What should be ticked on the form Renewal of PR card / Replace a lost ,stolen , destroyed or never received PR card

Request for your inputs although its been 3.5 yrs since the time u applied.

Thanks !
Hi!
To your question-
1. There isn't any application form for rectification. Just fill up a PR card application form with new details.
2. Renewal of PR Card.

Hope this helps.
 

Veejaysingh

Star Member
May 19, 2020
76
4
Hey Guys, Put me out of this Misery. So heres the Scenario.
I got my passport renewed in 2021 and split my name while my pr application was in process. updated the details to IRCC via Web form and they confirmed that they have received the details. But Copr was sent to me with old passport details and name. My pr card says Name- ''XXX YYY'' in a single line. I am not sure if its the right format. Cause as i have split my name in the new passport which is given name XXX and surname YYY.

Now i am planning to travel different countries next yr for three months, Do you think this is going to create a problem when i re-enter to Canada while immigration. Cause my only problem is the format my name is written on the Pr card. I mean its the same person,Do you think I should get my name format rectified on my pr card. or is it the right format or how it should be.My only worry is if i can re- enter canada with the current pr card.

In case i have to get my name change on pr card, do you think i need to get 'legal name change certificate' from ontario which is mentioned in the thread.if so, what are the documents required. i am aware i need to fill an application , apart from that i am not sure what else is needed.

Help me out here folks i would really appreciate all your efforts as you guys have been through similar situation.

Mucha Gracias
 

Veejaysingh

Star Member
May 19, 2020
76
4
Hi,
I had the same problem. My passport had only given name, because of which my COPR and PR card had captured everything under last name.

I have got everything rectified now, without getting any affidavit or legal name change procedure or name change request through any provincial offices.


1 - Submit a letter to BLS (along with passport application form to get a new passport with first name and last name) explaining the error and why you could not get it rectified earlier. (In my case the PR application was under process). - Got my new passport in 20 days

2 - Once you receive the updated passport - Submit similar letter to CIC explaining the error, along with other documents - Application form (Do not tick legal name change as you are not legally changing your name) + Cancelled page of old passport showing the new passport number and copy of the new passport showing old passport number, ensure you mention this also in the letter) + copy of the letter you submitted to BLS + any other documents. - Got my New PR card in 72 Days, Please note COPR will not change, only PR card will issued with a new name.

3 - Got my SIN, Driver Licence and Health Card updated.

Its an easy process if your letter is crisp and explains things clearly. Let me know if you have any doubts.

- Manu
Man,I am in the same shoes. Half way through. Got my Indian passport renewed with a name split. Now I Want to rectify the name on pr card.
Firstly, I am not sure what forms(IMM...) and supporting documents are required. I did some research but there's so many kinda confusing...
Secondly, The process, Is it online or by mail.
Thirdly if you could send me a format what you wrote in the letter to make it more convincing. I would really appreciate it...
Ciao.
 

Veejaysingh

Star Member
May 19, 2020
76
4
I had the same issue. Check how to get the legal name change in Ontario. In Manitoba you had to visit Statistics Canada to get it done. It takes around 1.5 months for the complete process to complete. Guess this this link for Ontario: -

https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-name

Once you have that document, use it change your name in your DL, health card, SIN, bank accounts etc.

For PR Card, its not compulsory to get it changed. You can directly get it changed during your Citizenship application. I did the same. I am now waiting for Oath.

Also, I updated my home country passport with the split name, but it holds no value in Canada once you are PR :). So even if you change your name on Passport you can travel with your PR Card with the old name. I have traveled so can confirm, there won't be any issue.
Hey you sound encouraging, I have a new Indian passport with a name split. but on a pr card I have a same name but with a different format just like yours. My dilemma here is I have travel plans in few months. my only concern is if that's going to be a problem when I get back to Canada during immigration? let me know your experience and did you face any issues?
 

tankala13

Hero Member
Feb 22, 2012
280
63
Hey you sound encouraging, I have a new Indian passport with a name split. but on a pr card I have a same name but with a different format just like yours. My dilemma here is I have travel plans in few months. my only concern is if that's going to be a problem when I get back to Canada during immigration? let me know your experience and did you face any issues?
Nopes, no issues. they would ask a couple more questions. I had travelled with a name split passport and PR card with full name. Carry you old passport just in case.
 
Nov 13, 2022
3
1
Hi,
I had the same problem. My passport had only given name, because of which my COPR and PR card had captured everything under last name.

I have got everything rectified now, without getting any affidavit or legal name change procedure or name change request through any provincial offices.

1 - Submit a letter to BLS (along with passport application form to get a new passport with first name and last name) explaining the error and why you could not get it rectified earlier. (In my case the PR application was under process). - Got my new passport in 20 days

2 - Once you receive the updated passport - Submit similar letter to CIC explaining the error, along with other documents - Application form (Do not tick legal name change as you are not legally changing your name) + Cancelled page of old passport showing the new passport number and copy of the new passport showing old passport number, ensure you mention this also in the letter) + copy of the letter you submitted to BLS + any other documents. - Got my New PR card in 72 Days, Please note COPR will not change, only PR card will issued with a new name.

3 - Got my SIN, Driver Licence and Health Card updated.

Its an easy process if your letter is crisp and explains things clearly. Let me know if you have any doubts.

- Manu
Hi Manu,

I am also in the same situation. I just completed the first step, i.e got my new passport with my first name and last name from BLS. I have my citizen application in process. So I am thinking to submit a web form as you said I will submit the canceled and new passport but what should I mention in the explanation of why it was corrected so late? if you can share the explanation letter, that would be great help.
 

manu.yoganand

Star Member
Dec 28, 2017
133
86
Hi Manu,

I am also in the same situation. I just completed the first step, i.e got my new passport with my first name and last name from BLS. I have my citizen application in process. So I am thinking to submit a web form as you said I will submit the canceled and new passport but what should I mention in the explanation of why it was corrected so late? if you can share the explanation letter, that would be great help.
Not sure if doing it while ur citizenship is under process was a wise decision. Technically the name on the passport that u submitted with citizenship application and the current passport is different.. reach out to IRCC about how to tackle this..
w.r.t the letter, I did it over 5 years ago.. I am sure I won't be able to find it.