Is it simple and easy to have marriage name on citizenship certificate?

[screech339]

Hi everyone,

I am sure I was not the only one who asked this question and probably won't be the last.

While my wife has got a long way to go before applying for citizenship, 3 years away under the new rules, I do have a question I like to ask.

My wife's COPR and PR card has her maiden last name listed on it. This is due to matching it up with immigration documents such as her name as listed in her passport. That is an non-issue for me at all.

My question is this. Can my wife have her marriage name listed on her citizenship certificate with just proof of marriage certificate as reason for name change on the form. Would her driver's licence, PR card, health card, and SIN listing her maiden name impair her ability to have her marriage name listed on citizenship certificate instead?

I would appreciate some answers. Thanks in advanced.

Screech339

 

[IamAlbertan]

As per my experience, I submitted a scanned copy of my marriage certificate, an updated driver's license & health card ID (with my new last name). I also updated my SIN and bank information just in case they will check these.

 

[screech339]

Thanks for your response. It is something to consider when the time comes.

Just wondering if CIC is forcing everyone to have all their IDs to update their new marriage name before applying for citizenship under new marriage name.

I know there isn't any rules to force it but "implied or encouraged" them to do that in order to make your application as smooth as possible with marriage name on the citizenship.

Screech339

 

[screech339]

I am curious if there was anybody that had the same situation I has posted about. Whereby the applicant was able to get her citizenship certificate with her marriage name on the copy of marriage certificate alone despite all her IDs showing her maiden name.

I just want to save myself and herself the hassle of having to update all her ID's prior to canadian citizenship application. I would rather do that after her citizenship.

 

[IamAlbertan]

It is advised to have these IDs updated as proof especially if your wife wants to use your last name in her citizenship certificate. On April, CIC sent me a letter confirming the last name I would like to use including these proof of identification. Even if I already sent it when I applied on February, I still sent another set of copies of these IDs together with a letter stating that I would like to use my husband's last name in the citizenship certificate. And I haven't heard anything so far. The update of these IDs only take two weeks max.

 

[screech339]

The only ID's that she can update are driver license and health card. Will those two IDs suffice as proof? I know you can also update your PR card with marriage name if you wanted to but must provide driver licence, health card and SIN card to accept the marriage name on new PR cards. It is quite a hassle.

 

[IamAlbertan]

The only ID's that she can update are driver license and health card. Will those two IDs suffice as proof? I know you can also update your PR card with marriage name if you wanted to but must provide driver licence, health card and SIN card to accept the marriage name on new PR cards. It is quite a hassle.

Yes, these two identifications are enough proof. Don't forget to include your marriage certificate. I only updated these two IDs so far. As for the PR card and passport, I haven't updated it yet to my new last name. I might do it before it expires next year.

 

[screech339]

Yes, these two identifications are enough proof. Don't forget to include your marriage certificate. I only updated these two IDs so far. As for the PR card and passport, I haven't updated it yet to my new last name. I might do it before it expires next year.

I don't see any point in updating the PR card with marriage name as why bother if you plan to get canadian citizenship with marriage name. Once you have citizenship, PR card would be a thing of the past.

 

[IamAlbertan]

If you do not have travel plans then you don't have to renew your PR card or passport. But in my case, I am planning to travel next year and my travel documents will be expiring so I need to renew it.

 

[screech339]

In my wife case, I may have no choice but to have her PR card in her maiden name. As of present, her embassy in Canada does not have the equipment on site to process her biometric passport. Thus she is forced to fly back to her country before her passport expires if she wants to have her new passport. It would be a problem if her new passport has her marriage name but her PR card has maiden name when she try to board back to Canada.

Perhaps, although unlikely, that by the time her time to renew, she can get it done at the embassy.

Since she has a long ways to go (7 years left) before her passport expires, I figured she would have her canadian citizenship by the time her passport expires if all goes well.

 

[screech339]

Just another scenario. If I were to let my wife keep her maiden name on canadian citizenship, is it easy to get her marriage name on her Canadian Passport. I imagined that CIC would want proof of this along with her marriage certificate such as driver licence and health care bearing her marriage name?

Just contemplating whether if it is really necessary that my wife has to have marriage name on her citizenship when she can get her marriage name on Canadian passport with marriage certificate.

Just exploring the options here.

Screech339

 

[Jes]

Just another scenario. If I were to let my wife keep her maiden name on canadian citizenship, is it easy to get her marriage name on her Canadian Passport.

Yes, I believe she can.

We have just applied for the passports and found this section in the first page
If passport requested in spousal surname (last name), enter ---------- Year of marriage --------- Surname (last name) of spouse.

The Guide at the end of the application forms explains:

Surname and given name(s) to appear in passport
Write the name you want to appear in the passport. If you are requesting a passport in a name that is different from the name that appears on the documentary evidence of citizenship, please note the following:
For a married surname change, we recommend that you provide a marriage certificate (original or copy) to avoid possible delays.