HELP!! - legal name shown on my Canadian Citizenship Certificate

[jjjjjjjjjj]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if you had similar issue...

When I applied for citizenship i ticked the box to legally change my name (adding a given name to my existing given name so two given names and still the same last name) and that's what's showing on my citizenship certificate - but Service Ontario wouldn't change the name on my drivers license and they need to see proof that i changed from old name to new name -- i'm just wondering what you did if you had similar situation or if a ATIP release would contain something like that?

They changed my name on my Ontario Health Card but they wouldn't on my drivers license because they would only recognize Citizenship cards which are not issued by citizenship canada anymore. Service Ontario told me to ask for a letter that shows my name change from one to another but i called immigration canada they said that Citizenship Certificate is the only thing they issue and that is my legal document in canada and the name shown on there IS my LEGAL NAME IN CANADA.

Just not sure what to do in this case - because now that they changed my name on my health card (which has a photo on it), i can then apply for a passport with the name shown on my citizenship certificate.. Even then Service Ontario said they wouldn't recognize the name show on my passport. So basically all of my other ids will have the same name as shown on my citizenship certificate but my drivers license ugh.. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

Thank you very much for your help

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

Actually this is what i applied for: You have successfully submitted your request under the Privacy Act to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

I am just wondering if this report would contain my old name (when i was a PR) and my new name (as shown on my citizenship certificate).

Thanks, I really appreciate your help!

 

[era1521]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if you had similar issue...

When I applied for citizenship i ticked the box to legally change my name (adding a given name to my existing given name so two given names and still the same last name) and that's what's showing on my citizenship certificate - but Service Ontario wouldn't change the name on my drivers license and they need to see proof that i changed from old name to new name -- i'm just wondering what you did if you had similar situation or if a ATIP release would contain something like that?

They changed my name on my Ontario Health Card but they wouldn't on my drivers license because they would only recognize Citizenship cards which are not issued by citizenship canada anymore. Service Ontario told me to ask for a letter that shows my name change from one to another but i called immigration canada they said that Citizenship Certificate is the only thing they issue and that is my legal document in canada and the name shown on there IS my LEGAL NAME IN CANADA.

Just not sure what to do in this case - because now that they changed my name on my health card (which has a photo on it), i can then apply for a passport with the name shown on my citizenship certificate.. Even then Service Ontario said they wouldn't recognize the name show on my passport. So basically all of my other ids will have the same name as shown on my citizenship certificate but my drivers license ugh.. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

Thank you very much for your help

You are in the wrong place; this section is for Citizenship, not for name changed, DL, Service Ontario....

 

[hatrang]

Maybe you want to consider changing your name officially by filing the name change application

http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/FormDetail?OpenForm&ACT=RDR&TAB=PROFILE&ENV=WWE&NO=007-11155E

I did that and my driver license got updated without issue. However, I changed my name before applying for citizenship.

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your answers!! I posted it here because my name change originated from when I applied for my citizenship -- on the CIT0002 form section 3B - citizenship canada granted me that name and listed it on my citizenship certificate.

But the Ministry of Ontario doesn't recognize citizenship certificate they only recognize citizenship cards which are not issued anymore :'( :'( :'(

 

[dbss]

I would be in the same situation too later. Looks like I will need to do the name change earlier then expected.

 

[vermanaman]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your answers!! I posted it here because my name change originated from when I applied for my citizenship -- on the CIT0002 form section 3B - citizenship canada granted me that name and listed it on my citizenship certificate.

But the Ministry of Ontario doesn't recognize citizenship certificate they only recognize citizenship cards which are not issued anymore :'( :'( :'(

Why dont you just get a Canadian Passport and use that maybe?

 

[eileenf]

But the Ministry of Ontario doesn't recognize citizenship certificate they only recognize citizenship cards which are not issued anymore :'( :'( :'(

It seems that the Ministry wants to make sure that your cit. certificate and your DL are for the same person. i.e. They want to make sure that no one is stealing your identity. So they want to see evidence that "old you" changed their name to "new you" and that "new you" isn't some identity thief trying to steal health coverage and a good credit score.

Off the top of my head: Show them the photocopy of your citizenship application (which you should have photocopied for your records before sending). If you didn't photocopy, you can apply via ATIP for copies of your physical files for citizenship, which would presumably show your old name, your new name, and that checked box.

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I showed them my application and i showed them my confirmation of PR (with old name and client id - that client id matches whatever is at the back of my citizenship certificate) but Service Ontario still would not recognize it.

My main concern is for my passport application - i need another piece of document to prove my identify when I apply and I think the new Ontario OHIP card would be fine (since it has a photo signature and all that).

Service Ontario told me even if i get my passport with the name that's shown on my citizenship certificate they wouldn't recognize that because they want a legal document or sth that shows my name changed from one to another.


So basically, before I applied for citizenship, my name was:

Given name: A
Last name: B

On my application i indicated that i want the following and that's what's shown on my citizenship certificate:

Given names: C A
Last name: B

I think when you tick the box on section 3b to legally change your name you are suppose to do it with your province first or sth but i have never done that.. But again, citizenship shouldn't have granted me that name. But they did and now i'm at a dead end ugh

This is such a mess, if i knew about the trouble i would never have ticked the box on the CIT0002 application form section 3b :'( :'( :'(

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

I would be in the same situation too later. Looks like I will need to do the name change earlier then expected.

Did you already apply for citizenship and ticked the box on application form CIT0002 section 3b to legally change your name?

 

[eileenf]

Okay. It seems like the issue is that the citizenship process and the legal name change process are completely different. According to the citizenship application instructions, the "legal name change" box doesn't create a legal name change, it indicates that you already had one and should attach proof like a legal name change document. CIC may have cut you some slack on this because they deemed the change to be minor, but they probably should have required documentation in order to issue your citizenship certificate in your new name. It looks like Service Ontario is requiring such documentation.

So, you should legally change your name if you haven't already.

Here's the "name change" section in the cit application instructions:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/CIT0002ETOC.asp#CIT0002E5
"Name change

The name on the citizenship certificate will be the same as the one shown on your immigration document unless you provide one of the following documents as proof of a change of name (in addition to or in combination with supporting identity documents as requested in section 3 above).

a copy of a legal change of name document, court order or adoption order issued by a civil authority in a province or territory of Canada; or a marriage certificate, divorce decree, registration or declaration of union, or revocation of declaration or annulment of union issued by a civil authority in a province or territory of Canada, showing your new name, unless you have been married in and are currently a resident of Quebec;
if you are a permanent resident who has had a change of name outside of Canada, please provide a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation that has been amended to reflect the new names. An official translation in English or French must be included."

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

Okay. It seems like the issue is that the citizenship process and the legal name change process are completely different. According to the citizenship application instructions, the "legal name change" box doesn't create a legal name change, it indicates that you already had one and should attach proof like a legal name change document. CIC may have cut you some slack on this because they deemed the change to be minor, but they probably should have required documentation in order to issue your citizenship certificate in your new name. It looks like Service Ontario is requiring such documentation.

So, you should legally change your name if you haven't already.

Here's the "name change" section in the cit application instructions:
"Name change

The name on the citizenship certificate will be the same as the one shown on your immigration document unless you provide one of the following documents as proof of a change of name (in addition to or in combination with supporting identity documents as requested in section 3 above).

a copy of a legal change of name document, court order or adoption order issued by a civil authority in a province or territory of Canada; or a marriage certificate, divorce decree, registration or declaration of union, or revocation of declaration or annulment of union issued by a civil authority in a province or territory of Canada, showing your new name, unless you have been married in and are currently a resident of Quebec;
if you are a permanent resident who has had a change of name outside of Canada, please provide a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation that has been amended to reflect the new names. An official translation in English or French must be included."[/i]

Thank you!! That is it!! So would this count as one if the "mistakes" by citizenship canada? Because if it is then I can get my citizenship certificate with the old name on it pretty quickly otherwise i have to wait up to 5 months and i won't be able to leave Canada during that period since they've already taken my pr card. THANK YOU, very helpful!

 

[eileenf]

I'm not sure how it would work to get a new certificate, but I recommend contacting your local MP to see if they can advocate for you and help you navigate the situation. One caveat: Don't expect a lot of help if you need the passport so you can move abroad.

Good luck.

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

I'm not sure how it would work to get a new certificate, but I recommend contacting your local MP to see if they can advocate for you and help you navigate the situation. One caveat: Don't expect a lot of help if you need the passport so you can move abroad.

Good luck.

Thank you!!!! I don't plan to move to another country - i love working and living in Toronto. Although, when I apply to have my legal name changed with the Ministry I'm not sure if they would because I'll have to attach my citizenship certificate to show that i am a canadian citizen in order to change my name and my Citizenship CErtificate shows the C A B name rather than A B name that's on my other documents.

 

[thecoolguysam]

I am just wondering how CIC has changed your name during citizenship application without a legal name change certificate? What did you submit that time?