Canadian Citizen with Incorrect Last Name on Immigration Records

[afar35]

Hi everyone, I’m a Canadian citizen, and while going through an Employment Insurance (EI) verification process recently, I discovered that my last name is spelled incorrectly on a few key government records, specifically my landing paper, citizenship certificate, and SIN card. They all contain an extra letter in my last name. My Landing paper is from late 1990s.

What’s strange is that all my other official documents (like my Canadian passport, health card, and driver’s license) have the correct spelling, which I’ve been using without issue for years. I never noticed this mismatch until now, and it’s likely because most services go by passport ID.

I’ve now started the process of correcting the error using Form IMM 1436 to amend my original landing document so I can eventually fix my citizenship document and SIN.

My question is:

Since I am already a citizen, can I still travel internationally while this correction is in process? I have upcoming trips and I plan to use my Canadian passport (with the correct name), but I’m not sure if the ongoing correction could cause issues at the airport, at the border?

Has anyone had a similar situation?

 

[armoured]

Hi everyone, I’m a Canadian citizen, and while going through an Employment Insurance (EI) verification process recently, I discovered that my last name is spelled incorrectly on a few key government records, specifically my landing paper, citizenship certificate, and SIN card. They all contain an extra letter in my last name. My Landing paper is from late 1990s.

What’s strange is that all my other official documents (like my Canadian passport, health card, and driver’s license) have the correct spelling, which I’ve been using without issue for years. I never noticed this mismatch until now, and it’s likely because most services go by passport ID.

I’ve now started the process of correcting the error using Form IMM 1436 to amend my original landing document so I can eventually fix my citizenship document and SIN.

My question is:

Since I am already a citizen, can I still travel internationally while this correction is in process? I have upcoming trips and I plan to use my Canadian passport (with the correct name), but I’m not sure if the ongoing correction could cause issues at the airport, at the border?

Has anyone had a similar situation?

If your passport is in the correct name, won't be an issue.

 

[afar35]

If your passport is in the correct name, won't be an issue.

Thanks

My landing paper, citizenship certificate, and SIN card all issued about 20 years ago have an incorrect spelling of my last name (there’s an extra letter).

However, my passport, health card, and driver’s license all show the correct spelling.

The confusion is: what does immigration consider as the official name? The one on my landing paper and citizenship certificate? Or the one on my current passport and provincial IDs?

The error seems to have happened when the officer filled out my landing paper he entered my last name incorrectly, even though my father’s last name is spelled correctly on the same document.

I’m just concerned that if I start the process to correct the landing paper using IMM 1436, I might run into issues with traveling while the correction is in progress.

 

[armoured]

The confusion is: what does immigration consider as the official name? The one on my landing paper and citizenship certificate? Or the one on my current passport and provincial IDs?

I can't answer this question generically - there is no one single system in Canada for official names. (Apparently even within IRCC)

What I'm telling you that matters in this instance: if you were issued a passport in your correct name, and have any supporting ID in the same name, you will be able to travel on it.

A q that I don't think is determinative: have you used this passport already? How long ago did you get it?

I’m just concerned that if I start the process to correct the landing paper using IMM 1436, I might run into issues with traveling while the correction is in progress.

I presume you will be including supporting documentation incl the ID you already have - incl passport - so can't imagine why they would cancel your current (correct) passport.

But if you're that worrried - travel first, then change it.