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Name Change- before or after the PR application is finished?

S

shesosilly

Full Member
Jan 14, 2015
33
2
I had all my documents on my maiden name so I applied for my Inland PR application using my maiden name. I did claim that I was married though. I recently got my OWP and I was hoping that from here on, I can already start working on changing my last name to my married name.

What do you suggest? Should I call CIC and request to change my name to my married name while they're still processing it? (I'm quite hesitant about this because I feel that one detail like that can cause more delay). Or should I just wait until I receive a decision (hopefully positive) and request to change it afterwards?

Hope to hear from someone who would know about this. Thanks!
 
I'd personally wait until after it's all said and done, just to avoid any unnecessary complications that may stem from the name change. You can always change your name socially - your email address, at work, etc, and just worry about changing it legally after all your documents are done and dusted.

Just my opinion.
 
hello, shesosilly!
I am personally waiting till I'm done. In my opinion that would/could cause delays at some point knowing their work-style, especially if you want to change your name on your passport. You would have to send copies of your new passport to them and that doesn't always get attached to your application fast. It's like changing your address, seems you have changed it online and the agent confirms it has been changed, but they keep sending stuff to your old address! So in my eyes it's not a priority and I don't want this process to take even longer than it already is, unless you really want to have it done. Your PR card btw will have the name exactly like your passport, so that's up to you if you wanna take the risk :) good luck!
 
The only reason I can think of NOT to wait until afterwards, is if your grace period for a free name change will expire and paying will be expensive or prohibited. For example, in Ontario you have 90-days free or else pay $25.
 
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