Should we Change the Name on our PR Card before Applying for Citizenship? Or is a Certificate of Name Change Enough?

[Canadianew]

Hello everyone,

I've recently had a legal name change. My SIN number and driver's license are updated because it was a quick process. However, it takes a long time to apply for a new PR card (the website says you must apply for a completely new card again if you've had a legal name change).

Would it be possible to apply for citizenship using my PR card with my old name while including a certificate of name change provided by the province of Ontario?

Has anyone ever done this before? If not, could you please provide me with a phone number, email address, or website whether this is possible?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[armoured]

I've recently had a legal name change. My SIN number and driver's license are updated because it was a quick process. However, it takes a long time to apply for a new PR card (the website says you must apply for a completely new card again if you've had a legal name change).

Would it be possible to apply for citizenship using my PR card with my old name while including a certificate of name change provided by the province of Ontario?

I can't tell you with 100% certainty, but I am quite confident you can apply with what you have, especially the other documentation. I'd include a letter of explanation (brief) that you have not applied for PR card under the change of name yet but you intend to.

I.e. I'm suggesting apply for citizenship first before applying for PR card and then do apply to replace PR card.

The only other ways I can suggest to clarify are through your MP's office or by calling IRCC, and I'm not confident that the latter would reliably give you a correct answer.

 

[mbaleine]

I did legal name change, changed everything except for passport (not possible to change) and PR card (too much of a hassle), applied for citizenship with legal name change cert, and the citizenship test invitation already addresses me using my updated legal name.