Legal name change when applying citizenship

[chelavnzuo]

Hi all,
Here is a question about changing my legal name along with the citizenship application, I don't think it has been answered in this forum before:

Once I obtain the legal name change certificate, which one of the following statements is true :
1.I can apply for the citizenship right away with this certificate (assuming I have met all the requirements), and change my name on the PR card, driver licence, SIN card, health card afterwards.
2.I have to wait an extra few more months until I have renewed my name on the PR card, driver licence, SIN card, health card before I can start the citizenship application.

Thanks

 

[sept15]

Hi all,
Here is a question about changing my legal name along with the citizenship application, I don't think it has been answered in this forum before:

Once I obtain the legal name change certificate, which one of the following statements is true :
1.I can apply for the citizenship right away with this certificate (assuming I have met all the requirements), and change my name on the PR card, driver licence, SIN card, health card afterwards.
2.I have to wait an extra few more months until I have renewed my name on the PR card, driver licence, SIN card, health card before I can start the citizenship application.

Thanks

Chel,

You do not have to wait to change your names on all other Ids. This is what you do:

1) Submit your Citizenship Application like anyone would do BUT add a) The Certificate of Change of Name 2) Answer Question 3B of the Form CIT0002 and check mark 'Legal name Change' and c) Check mark 'Date of birth correction or a name change' from the Checklist CIT0002. This will take care of the Citizenship Application. if you want, you could add an additional letter requesting a name change and refer to question 3B and explain the situation.

2) You can do the name changes on the other Ids. such as driver's license, passport, health card, employment cards, etc... on the side as well. BUT you do not need to do this before you submit your Citizenship application.

3) The name change on the PR card will take about 2.5-3 months.

Good luck,

 

[sept15]

I also wanted to add: If you are not in a rush I would suggest that you update all the Ids. that do not require a lot of processing times such as: Driver's License, Health card, Passport (?) and then apply for Citizenship. Since, PR takes a lot of time you can do that concurrently. Can you order an urgent passport - that would be really handy and you will be in perfect situation (since you will have all the vital Ids. updated prior to Citizenship).

 

[chelavnzuo]

Sept15, thanks for the prompt reply!

Name changing for me is not an urgent issue so is it true that the most convenient time to do this would be AFTER I receive the citizenship certificate and RIGHT BEFORE the passport application?
I guess in this way I can avoid all the troubles on changing name on PR card and old passport.

 

[wadelmaki]

I have requested a name change with my CIT application as my middle name was truncated in the immigration documents. I put my request in a signed letter and indicated the reasons and left it up to them to process it or not.

 

[sept15]

Sept15, thanks for the prompt reply!

Name changing for me is not an urgent issue so is it true that the most convenient time to do this would be AFTER I receive the citizenship certificate and RIGHT BEFORE the passport application?
I guess in this way I can avoid all the troubles on changing name on PR card and old passport.

I am not sure what happens after you become a Citizen but I assume it will only get more complicated. Depending on your Province, a legal change of name takes about 2.5 - 3 months... If I were you, and if I intend to change my name, I would do it prior to submitting a Citizenship application.

 

[chelavnzuo]

I am not sure what happens after you become a Citizen but I assume it will only get more complicated. Depending on your Province, a legal change of name takes about 2.5 - 3 months... If I were you, and if I intend to change my name, I would do it prior to submitting a Citizenship application.

I think the opposite: me changing name as a citizen seems no different to thousands of newlywed Canadians who need to change their maiden names. The process can’t be that complicated from that point of view.