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Change name after citizenship

Hi there,

Can I apply a Canadian passport if I want to change my last name legally? I already have a Change name Certificate but my Citizenship Certificate is using my maiden name as last name but I want to apply Canadian passport using my husband's last name. Do I have to apply a new Citizenship Certificate ( with my husband's last name) before I can apply for a Canadian passport? Thanks for answering my inquiry.
 
neng23 said:
Hi there,

Can I apply a Canadian passport if I want to change my last name legally? I already have a Change name Certificate but my Citizenship Certificate is using my maiden name as last name but I want to apply Canadian passport using my husband's last name. Do I have to apply a new Citizenship Certificate ( with my husband's last name) before I can apply for a Canadian passport? Thanks for answering my inquiry.
Click to expand...

You don't need to legally change your last name in your passport. You can show your marriage certificate and your citizenship certificate. Make sure your driver licence also has the new last name as well. My wife was able to have her passport in her marriage name while her certificate has her maiden name.
 
screech339 said:
You don't need to legally change your last name in your passport. You can show your marriage certificate and your citizenship certificate. Make sure your driver licence also has the new last name as well. My wife was able to have her passport in her marriage name while her certificate has her maiden name.
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That's an easy path, but can other forum members confirm that the new ( first ) Canadian passport can have family (husband's name) name based on (foreign) marriage certificate, while the Citizenship certificate has the maiden name?
 
Alex54321 said:
That's an easy path, but can other forum members confirm that the new ( first ) Canadian passport can have family (husband's name) name based on (foreign) marriage certificate, while the Citizenship certificate has the maiden name?
Click to expand...

Canada Passport accepts Marriage Certificate as supporting document for last name change on passports. It is not a legal name change. It is really a name change based on marriage. There is a different. A legal name change requires you to resubmit a new Canadian citizenship certificate with your new legal last name change. A last name change based on Marriage is not the same as legal name change. We didn't want to go through hassle of having to resubmit a new Canadian citizenship certificate based on legal name name. If, ever a time come that one became divorced or widowed, the spouse can easily change back to her original last maiden name without any legal hassle. Beside a legal last name change actually cost money. A last name change based on marriage doesn't cost anything.

My thinking is that the Canadian citizenship certificate is like having a Canadian birth certificate. All Canadian birth certificate will have their maiden name on it. The procedure is no different from a Canadian born in Canada with a birth certificate. You can have a Canadian Passport with your marriage name on it while holding a Canadian birth certificate with a maiden name on it.
 
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screech339 said:
Canada Passport accepts Marriage Certificate as supporting document for last name change on passports. It is not a legal name change. It is really a name change based on marriage. There is a different. A legal name change requires you to resubmit a new Canadian citizenship certificate with your new legal last name change. A last name change based on Marriage is not the same as legal name change. We didn't want to go through hassle of having to resubmit a new Canadian citizenship certificate based on legal name name. If, ever a time come that one became divorced or widowed, the spouse can easily change back to her original last name without any legal hassle.

My thinking is that the Canadian certificate is like having a Canadian birth certificate. All Canadian birth certificate will have their maiden name on it. The procedure is no different from a Canadian born in Canadian with a birth certificate. You can have a Canadian Passport with your marriage name on it while holding a Canadian birth certificate with a maiden name on it.
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Great, it's a big relief to do not do a legal name change. As I mentioned before we have CORP, PR card and Passport with the maiden name, but all other Canadian documents are with marriage name ( OHIP card, DL/Insurance, checking/savings/CC accounts, house deed). So, the Canadian passport will be with marriage name as well, based on marriage certificate.
 
Alex54321 said:
Great, it's a big relief to do not do a legal name change. As I mentioned before we have CORP, PR card and Passport with the maiden name, but all other Canadian documents are with marriage name ( OHIP card, DL/Insurance, checking/savings/CC accounts, house deed). So, the Canadian passport will be with marriage name as well, based on marriage certificate.
Click to expand...

Since your Canadian government documents are all in your marriage name, you won't have any issues. You will need to show one ID with your marriage name on it like your Driver's licence and your marriage certificate. It is a good idea to have your SIN number updated with your marriage name as well if you haven't done that already.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio.../services/canadian-passports/change-name.html

Change of surname (last name) due to relationship status change
You need to apply for a new passport when changing your surname (last name) following a relationship status change, such as marriage or divorce. You will need to include all the required documents for a new adult general application and pay the full fee.

You also need to include one or more of the following documents, depending on the situation:

  • marriage certificate(s)
  • common-law relationship certificate(s)
  • court order issued in or outside Canada, such as:
    • separation agreement
    • divorce order/judgment
  • certificate(s) to dissolve a registered common-law relationship
  • resumption of surname certificate(s)
These documents must:

  • show the surname (last name) you’re asking to have on your new passport
  • be in English or French (see translations)
Your guarantor doesn’t need to sign a copy of the documents listed above.

The identification you provide with your application will need to show your new surname (last name). <-- Your Drivers Licence with your marriage name will work here.
 
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