First passport with new legal name, but old name on IDs

[WiseWizard]

Hi,

I became a Canadian citizen back in Oct 2024, and right after that I applied for a legal change of name in BC. Last week, I received in the mail my certificate of change of name, and now I want to apply for my first Canadian passport. My current IDs all have my old name, but I do have the certificate. I wanted to know if I can apply to a new Canadian passport under my new name by submitting my current ID with the old name AND the certificate of change of name. Obviously, the new passport would need to show my new name.

I could wait to have my name updated on MSP first and then get a driver's license, but I will be waiting a couple months until then, and maybe even more if Canada Post strikes.

I don't know if it matters, but my name is sort of the same, just not as long (the very first and very last names were kept, and the rest discarded).

Best,
Igor

 

[armoured]

Hi,

I became a Canadian citizen back in Oct 2024, and right after that I applied for a legal change of name in BC. Last week, I received in the mail my certificate of change of name, and now I want to apply for my first Canadian passport. My current IDs all have my old name, but I do have the certificate. I wanted to know if I can apply to a new Canadian passport under my new name by submitting my current ID with the old name AND the certificate of change of name. Obviously, the new passport would need to show my new name.

I could wait to have my name updated on MSP first and then get a driver's license, but I will be waiting a couple months until then, and maybe even more if Canada Post strikes.

-You could try with what you have - if it's a short version of a first or middle name (or omission of patronymic?) they may accept as is. As far as I'm aware it is Canadian govt practice to allow dropping eg Russian patronymics - or indeed any 'middle name', which in Canadian legal terms is just a second (third etc) given name, and only one is needed - if the applicant doesn't want it there. Your change of name documentation would be 'extra' if I'm right - helps convince the passport office employees even if they actually don't need it to do the passport.

-If not, go and get any other ID corrected. I don't know about BC, but in Ontario, it takes several weeks to issue the 'proper' driver's license (printed or laminated), but the paper version they print on the spot IS a valid license in all respects (it may have some language like 'valid until date' or 'valid only with existing photo license/ID.'

So may guess is you shouldn't have to wait much. If if were me, I'd go to the BC licensing first, get the temp version, and then to passport office. Probalby the BC mSP updated isn't strictly necessary, but hyou have to do it anyway.

Let others know how it works.

 

[WiseWizard]

Just to update this post, the Photo ID needs to show the new name, while the certificate of Canadian citizenship can show the old name, as long as the original certificate of change of name is also provided.

 

[M_brar]

Hi,

I became a Canadian citizen back in Oct 2024, and right after that I applied for a legal change of name in BC. Last week, I received in the mail my certificate of change of name, and now I want to apply for my first Canadian passport. My current IDs all have my old name, but I do have the certificate. I wanted to know if I can apply to a new Canadian passport under my new name by submitting my current ID with the old name AND the certificate of change of name. Obviously, the new passport would need to show my new name.

I could wait to have my name updated on MSP first and then get a driver's license, but I will be waiting a couple months until then, and maybe even more if Canada Post strikes.

I don't know if it matters, but my name is sort of the same, just not as long (the very first and very last names were kept, and the rest discarded).

Best,
Igor

Hi there
Just a question, how long it took to receive name change certificate since application date?

Please let me know as I am waiting for mine since March 2025, i just want to get an idea
Thank you

 

[novemberrain]

-You could try with what you have - if it's a short version of a first or middle name (or omission of patronymic?) they may accept as is. As far as I'm aware it is Canadian govt practice to allow dropping eg Russian patronymics - or indeed any 'middle name', which in Canadian legal terms is just a second (third etc) given name, and only one is needed - if the applicant doesn't want it there. Your change of name documentation would be 'extra' if I'm right - helps convince the passport office employees even if they actually don't need it to do the passport.

-If not, go and get any other ID corrected. I don't know about BC, but in Ontario, it takes several weeks to issue the 'proper' driver's license (printed or laminated), but the paper version they print on the spot IS a valid license in all respects (it may have some language like 'valid until date' or 'valid only with existing photo license/ID.'

So may guess is you shouldn't have to wait much. If if were me, I'd go to the BC licensing first, get the temp version, and then to passport office. Probalby the BC mSP updated isn't strictly necessary, but hyou have to do it anyway.

Let others know how it works.

Hi there!

I've seen so many of your replies here and all of them are so helpful!

I thought I would shoot my shot here instead of creating a new thread.

So I will be assuming my husband's last name. I'm living in Ontario. I'm still waiting for my marriage certificate but once I have it, is this the correct way to apply for my first Canadian passport with my new name? (it's going to be my full name and hyphenate with his last name, eg: Sarah Smith-Townley)

- Applying for a new heath card with the new name
- Use the paper version, together with my marriage certificate and all other documents to apply for the Canadian passport
- Bring all of them in person to apply for the passport

I plan to use my OHIP (Ontario Health Card) as my ID because my driver's license (G1) will be expiring very soon, so I don't want to do it now, since the marriage certificate hasn't even arrived yet.

Is it ok or do I need both OHIP and driver's license for IDs?

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[steaky]

Hi there!

I've seen so many of your replies here and all of them are so helpful!

I thought I would shoot my shot here instead of creating a new thread.

So I will be assuming my husband's last name. I'm living in Ontario. I'm still waiting for my marriage certificate but once I have it, is this the correct way to apply for my first Canadian passport with my new name? (it's going to be my full name and hyphenate with his last name, eg: Sarah Smith-Townley)

- Applying for a new heath card with the new name
- Use the paper version, together with my marriage certificate and all other documents to apply for the Canadian passport
- Bring all of them in person to apply for the passport

I plan to use my OHIP (Ontario Health Card) as my ID because my driver's license (G1) will be expiring very soon, so I don't want to do it now, since the marriage certificate hasn't even arrived yet.

Is it ok or do I need both OHIP and driver's license for IDs?

Thanks so much for your input!

In some situations, one can use their foreign passport as ID too.

 

[armoured]

Hi there!

I've seen so many of your replies here and all of them are so helpful!

I thought I would shoot my shot here instead of creating a new thread.

So I will be assuming my husband's last name. I'm living in Ontario. I'm still waiting for my marriage certificate but once I have it, is this the correct way to apply for my first Canadian passport with my new name? (it's going to be my full name and hyphenate with his last name, eg: Sarah Smith-Townley)

- Applying for a new heath card with the new name
- Use the paper version, together with my marriage certificate and all other documents to apply for the Canadian passport
- Bring all of them in person to apply for the passport

I plan to use my OHIP (Ontario Health Card) as my ID because my driver's license (G1) will be expiring very soon, so I don't want to do it now, since the marriage certificate hasn't even arrived yet.

Is it ok or do I need both OHIP and driver's license for IDs?

Thanks so much for your input!

I can only say just look at the current passport forms to see what they'll accept. I think only one new form of ID is required and I don't recall whether health card accepted, but again - instructions. It may also make a difference if this is your first Canadian passport or a renewal/replacement (for new name) - check the instructions.

Overall it does sound correct to me and in this instance yes, applying in person will be easier - at least if they don't take what you have/want something more, you'll find out right away.

 

[novemberrain]

I can only say just look at the current passport forms to see what they'll accept. I think only one new form of ID is required and I don't recall whether health card accepted, but again - instructions. It may also make a difference if this is your first Canadian passport or a renewal/replacement (for new name) - check the instructions.

Overall it does sound correct to me and in this instance yes, applying in person will be easier - at least if they don't take what you have/want something more, you'll find out right away.

Cool, thank you so much hehe! I did not check the forms before asking you (I didn't know that instructions were there haha!)

 

[novemberrain]

In some situations, one can use their foreign passport as ID too.

Thank you so much! However, my old passport is still using my maiden name and I have no intention to change it there, so I feel like in my case, I cannot use it

 

[armoured]

Thank you so much! However, my old passport is still using my maiden name and I have no intention to change it there, so I feel like in my case, I cannot use it

Actually in this case you can use 'old' docs (in old name) as proof of identity - the docs + marriage certificate (as your 'change of name' doc) attest to you as under new name. It's okay if there are some 'old' docs, that's reasonably normal, there's no requirement that passport be the absolute last to be changed (actually very convenient for it to be one of the first).

The key is to have what IRCC requires in terms of updated documents (in new name) - and in general (if I remember correctly) they expect at least one provincial official doc (eg driver's licence), because name changes are provincial jurisdiction. (In a way it 'proves' that it's a real change of name and accepted by the province, if it helpts to think of it that way).

As to which specific provincial docs and exactly how many under new name they require - instructions!

 

[novemberrain]

Actually in this case you can use 'old' docs (in old name) as proof of identity - the docs + marriage certificate (as your 'change of name' doc) attest to you as under new name. It's okay if there are some 'old' docs, that's reasonably normal, there's no requirement that passport be the absolute last to be changed (actually very convenient for it to be one of the first).

The key is to have what IRCC requires in terms of updated documents (in new name) - and in general (if I remember correctly) they expect at least one provincial official doc (eg driver's licence), because name changes are provincial jurisdiction. (In a way it 'proves' that it's a real change of name and accepted by the province, if it helpts to think of it that way).

As to which specific provincial docs and exactly how many under new name they require - instructions!

Great! Thank you! Yeah, my driver's license will be expiring very soon ; ; So I will need to sit the test, wait for the ID, and change that ID into the new name. I really hope I can just use my marriage certificate to get the new name on the driver's license without having to do the extra step, but I could not find anything about that haha. I might need to ask the test center.

 

[armoured]

Great! Thank you! Yeah, my driver's license will be expiring very soon ; ; So I will need to sit the test, wait for the ID, and change that ID into the new name. I really hope I can just use my marriage certificate to get the new name on the driver's license without having to do the extra step, but I could not find anything about that haha. I might need to ask the test center.

Have you checked whether the health card is sufficient in the instructions? Clearly that's easier. I only mentioned driver's license as the most common provincial ID.

If you want to change the driver's license without doing the test, try going to a service ontario storefront first. If they're okay with it, they'll issue you a paper copy (that is considered valid when carried with the old photo-driver's license) on the spot and mail you the new one within 2-6 weeks (I forget how long).

But first: instructions!