Legal Name Change during the PR application process

[Kan_Sri]

Hello everyone,

My spouse has recently sent the application for sponsoring for PR. We are still awaiting STAGE 1 AOR.

I would like to know, if i can legally change NAME (add a surname) during this process while my application is being processed.

Any inputs is much appreciated.

Thanks
KanSri

 

[Netkid]

From what I've read - it's possible but really it's a hassle and a nuisance. We are going to finish off the immigration process and then look at the name change after (also for professional reasons). It's so much work - some places even want the original certificate sent in!

 

[Kan_Sri]

Thanks Netkid for your reply...

 

[Awesomeg]

Hello everyone,

My spouse has recently sent the application for sponsoring for PR. We are still awaiting STAGE 1 AOR.

I would like to know, if i can legally change NAME (add a surname) during this process while my application is being processed.

Any inputs is much appreciated.

Thanks
KanSri

I was in the same situation, and decided to wait until the process is completed,
the only difference is that she will have her visa with her single name,
but when she arrives to Canada she will get all her Canadian paper using her name
as married person. I was advised to wait and avoid all the related problems, including delays,

The name wont affect her application.

It is advisable to wait until she gets her Visa,
In which case, she need to match her travel documents with her visa,
So,
After she gets to Canada you can proceed with all the necessary changes,
Not before. If you decided to do so, the only thing that will affect will be your
processing time, as her visa and traveling documents need to match....

 

[Kan_Sri]

Thank you Awesomeg

Based on both of your inputs, i think i will wait. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Warm Regards
KanSri

 

[Alurra71]

Your PR visa will be issued using the name on your travel document. Your PR card will also be issued using the name on your COPR and visa.

If you have just recently sent your application in and it is relatively easy to obtain a new passport then I would do it before the end of the process as the paperwork/hassle is NOT hard or time consuming. I changed my passport 2 months before 'landing' and all it took was a letter with a new copy of my passport and my 'bio' data to my VO and it was all changed that simply.

The choice is yours as it is for each individual, but if you just applied, you likely have time to get this done early on.

From what I understand, changing the PR card later is a matter of submitting an application and paying a fee. You would then need to change any other pieces of identification you have obtained in Canada as most places will not just look at your passport and marriage certificate and use your married name. They will look at your PR card / COPR and use the name that immigration used.

 

[keesio]

If you have just recently sent your application in and it is relatively easy to obtain a new passport then I would do it before the end of the process as the paperwork/hassle is NOT hard or time consuming. I changed my passport 2 months before 'landing' and all it took was a letter with a new copy of my passport and my 'bio' data to my VO and it was all changed that simply.

My wife did this too. She changed her name in the middle of her outland application and notified her VO. She received her COPR in her new married name. I doubt it delayed or complicated anything because her timeline was pretty quick.

 

[Netkid]

Oh cool ! I assume she had her passport updated/ had a copy of the marriage certificate for the officer in case they questioned the name difference?

 

[keesio]

Oh cool ! I assume she had her passport updated/ had a copy of the marriage certificate for the officer in case they questioned the name difference?

She simply scanned her new passport and e-mailed it to the VO with an explanation. then when she got her PPR, she again gave an explanation with her scanned copy of her passport. After PPR, I noticed that her last name changed to her new married name on eCAS. I don't know if they ignored the first e-mail (because PPR came addressed to her maiden last name) but after PPR, it looks like her new name got into the system and a month later her COPR came addressed to her new married name.

We were initially worried about doing this mid-stream so i called CIC twice about it. Both times they said the same thing - this is one of the most common "issues" they experience with the applications and they are very familiar with it so it is not a big deal to them.

 

[Netkid]

She simply scanned her new passport and e-mailed it to the VO with an explanation. then when she got her PPR, she again gave an explanation with her scanned copy of her passport. After PPR, I noticed that her last name changed to her new married name on eCAS. I don't know if they ignored the first e-mail (because PPR came addressed to her maiden last name) but after PPR, it looks like her new name got into the system and a month later her COPR came addressed to her new married name.

We were initially worried about doing this mid-stream so i called CIC twice about it. Both times they said the same thing - this is one of the most common "issues" they experience with the applications and they are very familiar with it so it is not a big deal to them.

Cool thanks for the insight. My wife has to do some professional re-qualifying...more name changes - so we decided for now to leave things as is until CIC is done as is work - but will look at changing it soon!

 

[Kan_Sri]

Thank you for your reply..

I am in my initial stage of PR sponsorship, so if i do change my name, do i have to do my PCC over again?

thanks
KanSri

 

[Alurra71]

Thank you for your reply..

I am in my initial stage of PR sponsorship, so if i do change my name, do i have to do my PCC over again?

thanks
KanSri

no

*EDIT* my police checks were done in my maiden name, and heck, even the FBI misspelled my name on the certificate they generated and it was OK. That might not be the norm, but I know they will accept a name change during the process because getting a passport changed is USUALLY the last thing a new spouse does after marriage. Also keep in mind, that you should change any ID you have your home country as well to reflect your new married name as it WILL facilitate easier changing once in Canada.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you for your reply..

I am in my initial stage of PR sponsorship, so if i do change my name, do i have to do my PCC over again?

thanks
KanSri

You shouldn't need to if you change your name after you submit the application (CIC can always ask for an updated one, but the name change shouldn't be the trigger for one).

It really will make your life simpler if she changes her name and submits an updated passport before getting the CoPR That way her PR card, SIN, etc will be in her new name already and you'll know for sure she can change her name (some provinces won't allow you to do a name change and other provinces require you to have lived in the province for a certain number of years before applying for a name change).

 

[keesio]

*EDIT* my police checks were done in my maiden name, and heck, even the FBI misspelled my name on the certificate they generated and it was OK.

Basically they will search your prints and any name that pops up as positive associated with those prints will be listed. CIC is most interested if any hits pop up with your prints.

 

[Netkid]

I had some q's for CIC so I called (plus now I'm a sponsor!)

The agent said it would be ok at the border to have my wife's PR card with her maiden name (as we submitted docs with this name), her renewed passport with her married name, as long as she carried a certified copy/proof of the marriage. This makes sense and I'm glad if this is the case.

As we know, they won't change COPR to your married name after the fact; and right now, we don't have any legal documents with her married name, so this news is welcomed!