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Is there a risk of application being returned if the Sponsor's name is changed during the process?

keys8014

Hero Member
Feb 4, 2021
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Spouse sponsorship

I had a name on my passport "<nickname> also known as <real name>" its all on 1 line , and i sponsored my wife, spouse sponsorship is still in process.

But during this time, i had to renew my passport and the embassy said we dont allow that long name format anymore, so i had to remove the "<nickname> also known as". They just removed this part, this didnt go through any legal documents, or legal name change since my real name was also there in the passport.

So after renewing my passport, my name on the new passport is "<real name>".

Problem is, when we sent the application for spouse sponsorship, on all the forms, I had to write "<nickname> also known as <real name>".

1. Do i need to inform ircc about this new passport name? (I am the sponsor)
2. If i do inform them, is there a chance they might return the application since the name change will invalidate the name listed on the forms?

Please help, thank you
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
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Rather unusual but probably will be okay.

Key thing - what do all your other docs use? Your real name or the other or both (in the form x also known as y)?

Which name are you using in canada.?

Frankly don't see any specific requirement for you to notify IRCC. But note, at some point in future you will need to (pr card, citizenship).

So I'd actually be careful and decide what you wish to use permanently. The issue is, you may need to take some legal steps in Canada to straighten this out.
 

frange

Hero Member
May 25, 2018
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Rather unusual but probably will be okay.

Key thing - what do all your other docs use? Your real name or the other or both (in the form x also known as y)?

Which name are you using in canada.?

Frankly don't see any specific requirement for you to notify IRCC. But note, at some point in future you will need to (pr card, citizenship).

So I'd actually be careful and decide what you wish to use permanently. The issue is, you may need to take some legal steps in Canada to straighten this out.
I don't think it will be an issue as long as he provides legal docs related to this change. The process will be delayed for sure.
 
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armoured

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Feb 1, 2015
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I don't think it will be an issue as long as he provides legal docs related to this change. The process will be delayed for sure.
Note, this is for the sponsor's passport, and that passport change won't automatically be reflected anywhere, really. (It's not like sponsors regularly show their documents during the process).

And it is not at all clear to me that this really is a name change in any legal sense - as indicated by the passport's use of "also known as ...".

That's why I think it's important to know which name the sponsor is using customarily in Canada.

Again, a bit unusual case so why I'd suggest not rushing. But I don't know that there is an obligation to inform IRCC immediately since (I think) no legal name change took place.
 
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keys8014

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Feb 4, 2021
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I use <real name> only on my prev and current documents, like canadian school documents, canadiandrivers license, unless its a very important one like, passport, my Canada landing paper, tax documents, and also on this spouse application.

There was actually no name 'change', i just followed the indian embassy as they said upon renewing passport , we cannot put ALIAS/AKA. They gave me option, to remove my <nickname> or remove <real name>. So i just removed my nickname.

This change didnt go through any attorney, legal documents,etc.. as the indian embassy said we are not changing, we are just removing the ALIAS.

Edit 1: on my canadian PR card, it shows only my REAL NAME. But on my COPR, it shows the whole 'nickname AKA real name'

Edit 2: my old passport with 'Nickname AKA Real name' is already cancelled. And I already got a new passport with 'Real Name' only.
 
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armoured

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Feb 1, 2015
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I use <real name> only on my prev and current documents, like canadian school documents, canadiandrivers license, unless its a very important one like, passport, my Canada landing paper, tax documents, and also on this spouse application.

There was actually no name 'change', i just followed the indian embassy as they said upon renewing passport , we cannot put ALIAS/AKA. They gave me option, to remove my <nickname> or remove <real name>. So i just removed my nickname.

This change didnt go through any attorney, legal documents,etc.. as the indian embassy said we are not changing, we are just removing the ALIAS.

Edit 1: on my canadian PR card, it shows only my REAL NAME. But on my COPR, it shows the whole 'nickname AKA real name'

Edit 2: my old passport with 'Nickname AKA Real name' is already cancelled. And I already got a new passport with 'Real Name' only.
I think this is not so complicated as no legal name change and the original formulation was literally 'also known as' meaning clear that one of these was an alias.

My suggestion would be to slowly change all documents/accounts you actually use to reflect only Real Name. (Don't bother with historic docs like COPR). Also your PR card is in Real Name, so I don't see there's anything to change.

But my view only. If you want more detailed advice or really need to be sure, you will likely need to see a lawyer.

Note for background, in most provinces there are remnants of the old common law approach that consistently using a name is a (sort of kind of) valid way of changing name - although in modern world it's not usually quite so simple. But I think your case is far easier than that, because you always had the 'also known as' spelled out and you've just reverted to using exclusively your Real Name / stopped using your nickname/combinations.
 
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alidonkaka6

Member
Dec 22, 2021
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There was no 'name change,' I just followed the Indian embassy's instructions, which said that ALIAS/AKA could not be used while renewing a passport. They gave me the choice of removing either my nickname or my true name. As a result, I've deleted my moniker.

This change was made without consulting an attorney or obtaining legal documents, as the Indian embassy stated, "We are not changing, we are simply removing the ALIAS."