Married Vs Maiden name question.

[Mariac819]

Good Day everyone.

My entire application process has been done with my maiden name.

We did this because I didn't want to change all my documents in the USA just to apply with my married name.

However, I would like my PR and my Canadian documents to be under my married name.

I have our marriage certificate which shows my married name as my new name.

Will that be enough to get my Canadian documents in my married name? (License, SIN, OHIP PR etc...)?

Or will I have to get them in my maiden name and then change it?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Good Day everyone.

My entire application process has been done with my maiden name.

We did this because I didn't want to change all my documents in the USA just to apply with my married name.

However, I would like my PR and my Canadian documents to be under my married name.

I have our marriage certificate which shows my married name as my new name.

Will that be enough to get my Canadian documents in my married name? (License, SIN, OHIP PR etc...)?

Or will I have to get them in my maiden name and then change it?

your options are:

1. change your name in your passport NOW (all that is needed is your pp and your marriage certificate), and send an updated copy of your passport to the ottawa visa office and tell them your name is changed. you will not need to do anything else with your application because of changing your name.

2. wait until you are approved for pr and receive your first pr card. once you have your pr card you will be able to change your passport, apply for a new pr card, license, ohip, etc.

your first pr card will be issued in the name as it's listed on your COPR, which is the name listed in your passport. if you want your first pr card to have your married name, then #1 is your option and you will want to hope you can get your passport changed before the visa is ready to issue your visa.

 

[Mariac819]

Thank You RH Cohen.

Makes total sense.

 

[truesmile]

Incidentally, you cannot apply for a new PR card just for the sake of a name change. A forum member had that experience and posted it here. You would hafta wait two years and renew your PR early (I'm assuming but not sure you can do that. )

You only needed to have changed your passport. That's what we did.

 

[Mariac819]

Incidentally, you cannot apply for a new PR card just for the sake of a name change. A forum member had that experience and posted it here. You would hafta wait two years and renew your PR early (I'm assuming but not sure you can do that. )

You only needed to have changed your passport. That's what we did.

I wish I had done more reading. I felt that because my FBI check and all my other documents didn't match my married name it would be a problem.

Sigh!..

Do you two happen to know if I can still get a license and other document under my married name? Or will everything have to be under my maiden name?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Incidentally, you cannot apply for a new PR card just for the sake of a name change. A forum member had that experience and posted it here. You would hafta wait two years and renew your PR early (I'm assuming but not sure you can do that. )

You only needed to have changed your passport. That's what we did.

where is the post referencing this? or do you know the poster who had this issue? from what i've learnd on this forum, you can apply for a new card once the original has been issued.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Do you two happen to know if I can still get a license and other document under my married name? Or will everything have to be under my maiden name?

i believe the license would need to be issued in the same name as your pr card/copr, which is the name in your passport. after the initial license, i believe you can change the name on it. this is why it's better to change your passport before they issue ppr and approval.

 

[kalexandra]

I am in exactly the same situation!
I applied for my visa using my maiden name , I felt it would be easier to use it and then once I move I'll change it. I'm waiting for my copr in the post now so i guess it's too late to update my passport and change it that way.

 

[Mariac819]

i believe the license would need to be issued in the same name as your pr card/copr, which is the name in your passport. after the initial license, i believe you can change the name on it. this is why it's better to change your passport before they issue ppr and approval.

Thank you... We are just worried changing my passport now could mess something up if it takes longer than expected to get to me. I'll just wait. Thank you again.

 

[Mariac819]

where is the post referencing this? or do you know the poster who had this issue? from what i've learnd on this forum, you can apply for a new card once the original has been issued.

I agree with rhcohen. I actually did the research. I can change it after but it's a new app and the price is $50.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#5445E6

"Important information. Do not apply for a renewal of your current PR card if it is still valid for more than six (6) months (180 days), unless it is due to a legal name change. Otherwise, your application will be returned."

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you... We are just worried changing my passport now could mess something up if it takes longer than expected to get to me. I'll just wait. Thank you again.

changing your passport now is not going to delay the process. they generally ask for a copy of your passport (PPR) because of this reason - to see if any of the information has changed. i doubt it's going to prompt them to re-evaluate your entire application or re-run security checks. i can't see how it has any bearing on the application at all. it is simply used to issue the travel document.

i would highly recommend changing it BEFORE PPR, rather than waiting. i didn't get a chance to do it, and now i will be incurring costs in money and time figuring out how to change it in the future. if i had made the decision sooner, then i wouldn't have to deal with any of that.

 

[Mariac819]

changing your passport now is not going to delay the process. they generally ask for a copy of your passport (PPR) because of this reason - to see if any of the information has changed. i doubt it's going to prompt them to re-evaluate your entire application or re-run security checks. i can't see how it has any bearing on the application at all. it is simply used to issue the travel document.

i would highly recommend changing it BEFORE PPR, rather than waiting. i didn't get a chance to do it, and now i will be incurring costs in money and time figuring out how to change it in the future. if i had made the decision sooner, then i wouldn't have to deal with any of that.

Doesn't my passport have to match my application name?

I am worried I'll get approved before I have time to send in a copy of my new passport and name change.

Like be stuck in limbo.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Doesn't my passport have to match my application name?

I am worried I'll get approved before I have time to send in a copy of my new passport and name change.

Like be stuck in limbo.

NO! CIC specifically tells you to contact your visa office if anything changes. so, that means, you can get your passport changed and send the visa office a letter that says you legally changed your name to your married name. it's that easy. it will be connected to your file number and UCI #, which is how CIC and CBSA can find out information about you. it's a pretty common thing that happens.

if you were to get a fbi check with your new married name, the application would ask you if you EVER went by another name, aka, your maiden name... so, essentially your record will ALWAYS be the same!!!! you will always be known as your maiden name, and your married name. it's like they are one in the same. if your application has your maiden name on it, they will change it in their system. nothing will be lost, the information in the application doesn't change. your medical exam is connected by barcode. there are ways they will figure out you are the same person. stop making it much more difficult than it really is. in actuality, the system is pretty "simple".

 

[Mariac819]

NO! CIC specifically tells you to contact your visa office if anything changes. so, that means, you can get your passport changed and send the visa office a letter that says you legally changed your name to your married name. it's that easy. it will be connected to your file number and UCI #, which is how CIC and CBSA can find out information about you. it's a pretty common thing that happens.

if you were to get a fbi check with your new married name, the application would ask you if you EVER went by another name, aka, your maiden name... so, essentially your record will ALWAYS be the same!!!! you will always be known as your maiden name, and your married name. it's like they are one in the same. if your application has your maiden name on it, they will change it in their system. nothing will be lost, the information in the application doesn't change. your medical exam is connected by barcode. there are ways they will figure out you are the same person. stop making it much more difficult than it really is. in actuality, the system is pretty "simple".

Makes complete sense. I am just scared something will go wrong and delay the process. It's been 5 long years apart - it's a legit fear.

 

[QuebecOkie]

I was too nervous about being without my passport to do the name change during the process. If I had it to do over again, I would TOTALLY do the name change before landing. Now I have a passport in my married name, and a COPR and PR card in my maiden name. (It's an extra pain here, as Québec doesn't allow you to take your husband's name.) I do have both names on my driver's license, at least. But I still have to change my name on my PR card. (Vanity is causing me to wait...I'm losing weight, and want to reach my goal weight before I get the photo done.)