changing maiden name to married name

[claudia21]

Any information please....


Hi,

I know that you apply for (or give an address for) your PR card and get a social insurance number when you land, but how would I change my maiden name to my husband's name afterwards? Especially if my passport still has my maiden name on it, and changing names after marriage is not customary in my country? In other words, my passport will have my maiden name on it until I apply for Canadian citizenship and get a Canadian passport in three or more years.

1) Do I have to re-apply with Immigrations Canada after I receive my PR card, etc. and get my basic information updated? Or is it possible to do this right when I land?
2) Would a certificate of marriage be enough proof to apply for a name change?

I'm mostly worried because my passport and PR card will probably be my main forms of ID, and I don't want trouble because the names on those, my driver's licence, bank account, etc. don't match.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[novembre2013]

Any information please....


Hi,

I know that you apply for (or give an address for) your PR card and get a social insurance number when you land, but how would I change my maiden name to my husband's name afterwards? Especially if my passport still has my maiden name on it, and changing names after marriage is not customary in my country? In other words, my passport will have my maiden name on it until I apply for Canadian citizenship and get a Canadian passport in three or more years.

1) Do I have to re-apply with Immigrations Canada after I receive my PR card, etc. and get my basic information updated? Or is it possible to do this right when I land?
2) Would a certificate of marriage be enough proof to apply for a name change?

I'm mostly worried because my passport and PR card will probably be my main forms of ID, and I don't want trouble because the names on those, my driver's licence, bank account, etc. don't match.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

you have same name on both pr and passport if I understood correct? why do you want to change name? and your driver license, bank account, etc will be same as your passport or pr.

 

[truesmile]

So long as you are not settling in the province of Quebec, then yes your marriage certificate is what you use to change to your married name. Not only is it not customary in Quebec, it's not allowed. You can't do it at landing, if you don't change it while processing, your first PR card will most definitely carry your maiden name.

 

[Avadava]

Like others have said, your first PR card will have your maiden name.
The good news is, you can re-do your PR card based on a name change. You will need a form of identification as proof of the name change (passport reflecting your new name).
If it's not customary in your country to take your husband's name and you won't be able to change your name on your passport, then you can get a legal name change through a court order in Canada based on your marriage certificate (not possible in Quebec).

Here is more on PR card application (replacement, renewal, etc.), including info on name changes: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#namechange -

 

[truesmile]

She won't have to wait that long. Citizenship takes 4-6 years to get now. Drivers license and PR card is a start.

 

[Avadava]

She won't have to wait that long. Citizenship takes 4-6 years to get now. Drivers license and PR card is a start.

I edited my post after realizing she does have other options than to wait for Canadian citizenship.

 

[novembre2013]

So long as you are not settling in the province of Quebec, then yes your marriage certificate is what you use to change to your married name. Not only is it not customary in Quebec, it's not allowed. You can't do it at landing, if you don't change it while processing, your first PR card will most definitely carry your maiden name.

yes this is true Quebec doesnt allow it.
Actually my question was do you want to change name because you think it's a must in canada or for personal reasons?

 

[blueangel371115]

yes this is true Quebec doesnt allow it.
Actually my question was do you want to change name because you think it's a must in canada or for personal reasons?

When I did the CSQ in a separate field they asked if I use my married name which I do on all documents except my passport because of a death in the family I hadn't changed it yet. But I read somewhere that if you change it prior to COPR, the federal paperwork goes under the name on your passport but your medicare card through the province doesn't. Either way, I'm going to try it. 1 year down, four to go until I get my court order either way. I am very opinionated on this issue, my apologies. I want to take my husband's name as I am proud of it as much as I am of my maiden name. I don't think taking your husband's means that. Nor am I being coerced (the root of the issue of the law change in the first place). It's a personal choice and it should be one, not a government controlled one. We are all different and I for one don't think less of a person whichever way they choose. Sorry, I got on a soapbox again. I wish they'd change it, it's really outdated. But rules are rules.