WHAT ARE THE STEPS FOR NAME CHANGE AFTER MARRIAGE?

[April Fajardo]

I am being sponsored by my husband under Family class/Spousal.
What are the steps to name change? Do I wait for my PR before. Can use my husbands last name?

 

[blueangel371115]

I am being sponsored by my husband under Family class/Spousal.
What are the steps to name change? Do I wait for my PR before. Can use my husbands last name?

I am doing that as well. I am sending out for my new passport reflecting my new name before I file. Some people do it after as during can become confusing. If you are heading to Quebec due to laws there they won't let you use it unless you have been using it for the last five years. In the US, I need to submit a copy my marriage certificate with my old passport reflecting my new name before they'll isue me a new one this other than that you generally go to places that issue ID or require one (bank, motor vehicles, etc. ) with the certificate to change it. Check with each as every country may be different.

 

[April Fajardo]

I just filed my PR application . So I wait for my PR card then request for a name change at Service Ontario I think that what it is. I don't have any form of ID in my husbands last name.

 

[blueangel371115]

I think so. More experienced members can correct me but I think that's how it's done. Not one hundred percent sure and o don't want to mislead you.

 

[truesmile]

I just filed my PR application . So I wait for my PR card then request for a name change at Service Ontario I think that what it is. I don't have any form of ID in my husbands last name.

But you have a marriage certificate with your maiden name and your husbands full name. You could apply to renew your passport at a Philippine Consulate in Canada (I noticed your app is inland), and once issued notify the appropriate VO in Canada that you have a new passport. If you really want a PR card with your husband's name you better get on that. I don't think they'll issue a new PR card just for a new surname, it should match your passport at any rate.

 

[April Fajardo]

But you have a marriage certificate with your maiden name and your husbands full name. You could apply to renew your passport at a Philippine Consulate in Canada (I noticed your app is inland), and once issued notify the appropriate VO in Canada that you have a new passport. If you really want a PR card with your husband's name you better get on that. I don't think they'll issue a new PR card just for a new surname, it should match your passport at any rate.

Thanks, I will look into that and call Philippine Consulate in Toronto and see if I can get a new passport/ change name. My passport does not expire till 2016.

 

[keesio]

The name on the passport is what will be the name on COPR and the PR card. My wife updated her passport with her new married name AFTER we applied. We notified CIC of the new passport via e-mail. There were no issues and no delays with doing this. This is a very common scenario and CIC is used to these cases.

 

[blueangel371115]

The name on the passport is what will be the name on COPR and the PR card. My wife updated her passport with her new married name AFTER we applied. We notified CIC of the new passport via e-mail. There were no issues and no delays with doing this. This is a very common scenario and CIC is used to these cases.

That's one of the reasons I waited. The application asks for your passport number do you send copies if the new one? I'm just nervous since the number on my application won't match but I don't want to wait too much longer. The folks at the border are getting a little cranky.

 

[truesmile]

Well I wouldn't "promise" NO delays, at least one forum member's wife tried this (albeit outland) and he figures it took 11 months to a year extra of the VO dicking around trying to sort out the correct paperwork. Yes, they will ask for OR you will send them copies of your new passport. You can renew even though it isn't set to expire soon, we did so but that was before we even submitted our application.

 

[blueangel371115]

I don't really want to risk it. But I'm going to the states for Christmas and then back to Canada and o know they'll ask. I'm not sure how to answer that as I am waiting for a. ) my background check and b.) My new passport reflecting my new name but Quebec ( where he lives now ) doesn't accept a name change after marriage. Although we are moving to Ontario after Christmas so I'm not filing through Quebec. But who knows what they'll think about it.

 

[keesio]

That's one of the reasons I waited. The application asks for your passport number do you send copies if the new one? I'm just nervous since the number on my application won't match but I don't want to wait too much longer. The folks at the border are getting a little cranky.

She sent in (via e-mail) a scanned copy of her new passport to the visa office with the necessary information (application number, UCI, etc) so they can associate it with her file. When she got PPR, also sent it in then with an explanation.

 

[keesio]

Well I wouldn't "promise" NO delays, at least one forum member's wife tried this (albeit outland) and he figures it took 11 months to a year extra of the VO dicking around trying to sort out the correct paperwork. Yes, they will ask for OR you will send them copies of your new passport. You can renew even though it isn't set to expire soon, we did so but that was before we even submitted our application.

True, I guess nothing is guaranteed. All I can give my wife's experience and it went smoothly. But of course much of it depends on the case officer looking at the file. Fortunately my wife's case officer was on top of things.

 

[SenoritaBella]

You are right, they won't issue a new PR card for a new surname. My lawyer said she requested that for a client, and received a letter stating they only issue the card in the name you used at the time of landing which is the same name on your COPR.

But you have a marriage certificate with your maiden name and your husbands full name. You could apply to renew your passport at a Philippine Consulate in Canada (I noticed your app is inland), and once issued notify the appropriate VO in Canada that you have a new passport. If you really want a PR card with your husband's name you better get on that. I don't think they'll issue a new PR card just for a new surname, it should match your passport at any rate.

 

[April Fajardo]

I have a daughter with my last name so Im not really sure if changing my last name to my husband's last name is a really good idea. Maybe I should just wait for my PR and my daughter to get here (she's in the Philippines) .

 

[screech339]

You are right, they won't issue a new PR card for a new surname. My lawyer said she requested that for a client, and received a letter stating they only issue the card in the name you used at the time of landing which is the same name on your COPR.

You can change your last name on your PR card even after you land. You may not get to change the first new PR card as it reflects what's written on COPR. However you should be able to change your name legally after the initial PR card.

But first you need to change other government issued IDs to new marriage name first such as driver's licence, provincial health card, SIN, and the like. This will help support your reason to change your name on PR card.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=721&t=4

Screech339