Name Change Question

[fishbone]

Hi All,

I'm eligible to apply for citizenship, however I realized pretty late in the game that my name on my PR card has a spelling error (one letter in my first name is incorrect). This means that my passport and my PR card do not match.

I think the ideal solution here is to apply for a legal name change and then apply for citizenship. However, the name change processing time is 6-8 weeks and I'm worried about delaying my citizenship application to the point where bill C-24 takes effect. I would then have to wait another year.

Any recommendations here would be appreciated!

 

[ScubaC]

Hi All,

I'm eligible to apply for citizenship, however I realized pretty late in the game that my name on my PR card has a spelling error (one letter in my first name is incorrect). This means that my passport and my PR card do not match.

I think the ideal solution here is to apply for a legal name change and then apply for citizenship. However, the name change processing time is 6-8 weeks and I'm worried about delaying my citizenship application to the point where bill C-24 takes effect. I would then have to wait another year.

Any recommendations here would be appreciated!

I think you can check the box that says "Minor change in spelling" on the citizenship application. You might want to call the call centre and ask them if you need a full legal name change for that (don't think so).

 

[cprak0]

I agree with ScubaC on this. You should check with the call center or may be somebody here might have had a similar issue..

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hi All,

I'm eligible to apply for citizenship, however I realized pretty late in the game that my name on my PR card has a spelling error (one letter in my first name is incorrect). This means that my passport and my PR card do not match.

I think the ideal solution here is to apply for a legal name change and then apply for citizenship. However, the name change processing time is 6-8 weeks and I'm worried about delaying my citizenship application to the point where bill C-24 takes effect. I would then have to wait another year.

Any recommendations here would be appreciated!

Did the spelling error happened because of CIC or you made a mistake while filing PR card? How does the name show on your landing paper(COPR).
So, your name on passport is right, is that correct?
I don't think legal name change is required if there is spelling mistake either because of you or because of cic's administrative error.
Please reply with your response so that I can look more into it.

 

[fishbone]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

My landing document has the incorrect spelling as well. I'm guessing this was an error by my dad / CIC many years ago when I got this document.

 

[thecoolguysam]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

My landing document has the incorrect spelling as well. I'm guessing this was an error by my dad / CIC many years ago when I got this document.

Just check whose error was that. Was your dad or cic?

If cic, check the following link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/amend.asp

Then you can also get your PR card replaced with new name.

If it was your dad's error then i would suggest you to talk to cic call centre for further information.

I am not sure whether legal name change is required or not. Please contact cic

 

[fishbone]

Thanks for your reply, thecoolguysam

I looked into that option, however the processing time for updating a landing document is 6 months!
I would like to apply before the citizenship changes come through but I'm worried that even the 6-8 week turnaround time would jeopardize that.

I wonder if a small error in the name would cause any issues in my application.

 

[thecoolguysam]

Thanks for your reply, thecoolguysam

I looked into that option, however the processing time for updating a landing document is 6 months!
I would like to apply before the citizenship changes come through but I'm worried that even the 6-8 week turnaround time would jeopardize that.

I wonder if a small error in the name would cause any issues in my application.

I think you havent submitted your application yet, correct?
in that case, write an explanation letter (cover letter)along with the application to explain the situation.
also contact cic call centre to see if they advise you semething. contact them at 1-888-242-2100

 

[curious78]

Hi There,
In my PR card, my first name was shortened. When i applied for citizenship, i requested for the full name and i checked the box that indicated that the name was shortened. I enclosed a cover letter explaining the situation and attached my passport copy as the proof. The request was accepted and all the citizenship related correspondence have my full name now.

I did get a finger print request. But that did not affect my timelines a lot. In contrary, my test request came right after i submitted my finger print request.

If my experience is any indication, requesting for a name correction (especially minor ones) with explanation and document proof (passport) should take care of the situation.

Good Luck

Regards,

 

[fishbone]

Hi There,
In my PR card, my first name was shortened. When i applied for citizenship, i requested for the full name and i checked the box that indicated that the name was shortened. I enclosed a cover letter explaining the situation and attached my passport copy as the proof. The request was accepted and all the citizenship related correspondence have my full name now.

I did get a finger print request. But that did not affect my timelines a lot. In contrary, my test request came right after i submitted my finger print request.

If my experience is any indication, requesting for a name correction (especially minor ones) with explanation and document proof (passport) should take care of the situation.

Good Luck

Regards,

Could you tell me if your landing document also had the shortened first name? My landing document and PR card both have the incorrect spelling.

 

[thecoolguysam]

Could you tell me if your landing document also had the shortened first name? My landing document and PR card both have the incorrect spelling.

is it a just one alphabet?

 

[fishbone]

is it a just one alphabet?

Yes. There is an E where it should have been an A.
They result in the same pronunciation

 

[thecoolguysam]

Yes. There is an E where it should have been an A.
They result in the same pronunciation

Contact cic call centre at 1-888-242-2100 before you submit your application. They can guide you regarding this.

 

[fishbone]

Called CIC today - They said that as long as I'm OK with the name on my PR card (which I am), then no action is required.

Just for fun, I also snuck in the question about when C-24 is being implemented and the person on the phone confidently said June 19.

 

[thecoolguysam]

Called CIC today - They said that as long as I'm OK with the name on my PR card (which I am), then no action is required.

Just for fun, I also snuck in the question about when C-24 is being implemented and the person on the phone confidently said June 19.

Great! The only problem I see is that the name on passport and your PR/COPR won't match and CIC might question it during processing. Either you can quitely wait for their question to be asked else voluntarily write a cover letter stating this issue. Its totally upto you.