PR's Name change question

[Cheery]

Hi All,

I've landed last year and am about to get married and got a couple of questions that so far no one was able to answer.

Am I allowed to adapt my new last name, right after marriage, and have my Canadian documents such as Driver's license, bank cards, SIN, etc changed. Or will I have to wait until my country of citizenship recognizes my name change and issues a new passport, which could take a year or 2, if they are quick.

Did anyone have a similar situation? Where you able to use your new name based on your marriage certificate and change the PR card once you get your new passport?

Any info would be really appreciated as not even the CIC call centre can answer this one, nor any of the immigration places I've contacted this far.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[joeblowcocomo]

Changing the Canadian documents such as DL and health card is really easy - essentially, you just show them your marriage certificate. Then you may apply for the new PR card, with all the required documents for name change procedure (copy of two provincial documents showing your new last name + marriage certificate). Your passport may remain under your old name, but it may create certain issues, such as extra questions at the US border entry (why are the names on the PR card and passport different).

 

[Cheery]

Thanks!!

Can I wait to change the PR card until I have a new passport to cease those possible issues or do I have to change all documents at the same time?

 

[joeblowcocomo]

Thanks!!

Can I wait to change the PR card until I have a new passport to cease those possible issues or do I have to change all documents at the same time?

It's really your call, there are no requirements for that. We changed the Canadian documents (including the new PR card) first for my wife, then applied for her name change in her country of citizenship (a fairly lenghty process).

 

[Cheery]

Great, thanks a lot, really appreciate your reply.