Last name change after marriage?

[Canadian555]

Hi there,

Before applying new citizenship soon after 1460 days, I have question about name change in either first or last name. My wife prefers to use my first name as her last name. Does Canada law require to use only last name after marriage? If not accept first name, then leave it as original name?

Would be greatly appreciated to clear up some confusion.

 

[alphazip]

Hi there,

Before applying new citizenship soon after 1460 days, I have question about name change in either first or last name. My wife prefers to use my first name as her last name. Does Canada law require to use only last name after marriage? If not accept first name, then leave it as original name?

Would be greatly appreciated to clear up some confusion.

In all of Canada except Quebec, your wife can take your last name as her last name, or you can take your wife's last name, or (in most provinces) you can hyphenate your names (e.g., Smith-Jones). Your wife cannot take your first name as her last name without doing an official change of name. I'm not sure where you are, but here is the information for Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-your-last-name

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hi there,

Before applying new citizenship soon after 1460 days, I have question about name change in either first or last name. My wife prefers to use my first name as her last name. Does Canada law require to use only last name after marriage? If not accept first name, then leave it as original name?

Would be greatly appreciated to clear up some confusion.

Which province do you live in?
Every province has their own rules. Usually it's the last name that can be changed after marriage and does not require a legal name change. In BC, hyphenated names require legal name change. If your wife wants to use your first name as her last name, she may have to go through legal name change.
If you have already applied for citizenship for your wife, let the process finish and then change the name after. Once she gets citizenship, get the name changed and then it will take almost 5 months to get a replacement citizenship certificate. Once processing of your wife's citizenship application has begun a name change can only be made due to an administrative error made by the Department, or a legal change of name.

 

[Canadian555]

In all of Canada except Quebec, your wife can take your last name as her last name, or you can take your wife's last name, or (in most provinces) you can hyphenate your names (e.g., Smith-Jones). Your wife cannot take your first name as her last name without doing an official change of name. I'm not sure where you are, but here is the information for Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-your-last-name

Okay sounds like she will use my last name as her last name but if she don't want that, then just leave it without using my last name. I think it should not be problem, right?

 

[Canadian555]

Which province do you live in?
Every province has their own rules. Usually it's the last name that can be changed after marriage and does not require a legal name change. In BC, hyphenated names require legal name change. If your wife wants to use your first name as her last name, she may have to go through legal name change.
If you have already applied for citizenship for your wife, let the process finish and then change the name after. Once she gets citizenship, get the name changed and then it will take almost 5 months to get a replacement citizenship certificate. Once processing of your wife's citizenship application has begun a name change can only be made due to an administrative error made by the Department, or a legal change of name.

We live in Ontario. Looks like very complicated process and can be confusing. I think better to leave it as same name she have.

 

[alphazip]

Okay sounds like she will use my last name as her last name but if she don't want that, then just leave it without using my last name. I think it should not be problem, right?

Yes, she can leave things as they are. In most of Canada, wives have traditionally taken there husband's surname (not by a formal name change, but simply by custom), but this is changing and is by no means required.

 

[Canadian555]

Yes, she can leave things as they are. In most of Canada, wives have traditionally taken there husband's surname (not by a formal name change, but simply by custom), but this changing and is by no means required.

Got it - thank you, I appreciate!