Different name on passport and PR

[Nadik]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

 

[steaky]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Don't know how soon you are going to leave Canada.

But before you go, you could also change your name in Canada and the name in your PR card too. Afterwards, you can have same names in both your passport and PR card on your return from your home country.

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=721&top=4

 

[armoured]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

 

[Nadik]

Don't know how soon you are going to leave Canada.

But before you go, you could also change your name in Canada and the name in your PR card too. Afterwards, you can have same names in both your passport and PR card on your return from your home country.

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=721&top=4

I actually didn't know this is a possibility. I researched quite a long time ago but last time I checked I read that it's extremely hard to change a last name in Quebec, so I didn't go that route.
anyway now it's too late since I'm leaving in 3 weeks, thank you lots!

 

[Nadik]

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

That's a good question, I'm not sure about that but I will call them today and ask.
Would the old passport not be enough as proof?
thank you

 

[armoured]

That's a good question, I'm not sure about that but I will call them today and ask.
Would the old passport not be enough as proof?
thank you

Generally, no: they're going to want to see some document that confirms a change of name, i.e. something that links/confirms that Person A is now known as Person B. It could possibly bear a different name in other jurisdictions but best is to find out, based on the legal framework that lets you change your name (even if only adopting now the name of your other parent).

There COULD be exceptions in some jurisdictions for things that are well known - eg in France for a very long time (don't know about now) women could get passports in their maiden names - but don't assume without confirming.

 

[Nadik]

Will you have a document of any kind that says something like "legal change of name"? What document will there be?

Ok so I checked and I can request for an official government document that proves my name changing, but it will be in the native language, so not in English.
I guess that I will need to officially translate it to English but if that's it then I'm pretty confident!

Is there anything else that might be needed? I will have my old passport and this document with me.
Thank you for all your help!

 

[armoured]

Ok so I checked and I can request for an official government document that proves my name changing, but it will be in the native language, so not in English.
I guess that I will need to officially translate it to English but if that's it then I'm pretty confident!

Is there anything else that might be needed? I will have my old passport and this document with me.
Thank you for all your help!

Yes, get that document translated/notarized (just as you would have done for docs for your PR application, and have old/new passports with you.

That should be enough. (Can't guarantee as there are airlines in the way...)

When you're back in Canada, apply for a new PR card with the new name (there's info on site about how to do so) and change your other documents too.

 

[Mani1436]

Ok so I checked and I can request for an official government document that proves my name changing, but it will be in the native language, so not in English.
I guess that I will need to officially translate it to English but if that's it then I'm pretty confident!

Is there anything else that might be needed? I will have my old passport and this document with me.
Thank you for all your help!

Hey were you able to travel back to canada easily with different names on PR card and passport ? Which airlines did u used ?

 

[appwarez]

Hi all!

So, I have a Canadian PR card and soon I am going to my home country for a few months.
In those few months I am planning on changing my last name (from father's to mother's). This is a process I could not do from Canada, I have to be in my home country for it.

Then I will receive a new passport with my new surname, but my PR card would still have my old surname.
My question is this, would I be able to return to Canada with that PR card? What kind of proof of name change would they ask for? Would showing them my old passport be enough?

Thank you for anyone who can help!

You should generally be able to travel back to Canada with a valid PR card, but if your new passport has a different surname, you may face questions from the airline or border officials.

I would recommend carrying,
* Your valid PR card showing your old surname.
* Your new passport showing your new surname.
* Your old passport, if available.
* The official legal name-change certificate or court document linking your old and new surnames, with a certified English or French translation if needed.

Your old passport alone may not be sufficient, so the official name-change document is important. IRCC specifically requires an official document linking the old and new names when a PR changes their name outside Canada. You should also check with your airline before travelling and apply to update your PR card after returning to Canada.

IRCC guidance: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...acement-renewal-change-gender-identifier.html

 

[Nadik]

Hey were you able to travel back to canada easily with different names on PR card and passport ? Which airlines did u used ?

Hi
Yes I was able to travel easily back to Canada.
I’ve used many airlines since then and traveled to many different countries and I have never had any problems returning to Canada with a different last name on my passport and on my PR.
In fact, in the beginning I would travel with my old passport and proof of name change and now I don’t even do that anymore since it was never requested of me.
But if you’re worried, just bring some proof connecting your old name to your new one.

I’ve been receiving a few dms asking the same thing so I hope this clears it up for everyone

 

[appwarez]

Hi
Yes I was able to travel easily back to Canada.
I’ve used many airlines since then and traveled to many different countries and I have never had any problems returning to Canada with a different last name on my passport and on my PR.
In fact, in the beginning I would travel with my old passport and proof of name change and now I don’t even do that anymore since it was never requested of me.
But if you’re worried, just bring some proof connecting your old name to your new one.

I’ve been receiving a few dms asking the same thing so I hope this clears it up for everyone

It’s reassuring to hear that you’ve travelled without an issues.

 

[Mani1436]

Hi
Yes I was able to travel easily back to Canada.
I’ve used many airlines since then and traveled to many different countries and I have never had any problems returning to Canada with a different last name on my passport and on my PR.
In fact, in the beginning I would travel with my old passport and proof of name change and now I don’t even do that anymore since it was never requested of me.
But if you’re worried, just bring some proof connecting your old name to your new one.

I’ve been receiving a few dms asking the same thing so I hope this clears it up for everyone

Yes , because I am so worried that I cannot travel out of canada because of different names , I have single name on my Pr card and old passport and marriage certificate but my new Indian passport is updated with my married surname , so hopefully I will be able to come back