Name Change Questions

[elmatador]

Hi Guys

I am helping my wife with her citizenship application. My wife had a name change many years ago before she got married and before she became a PR. So her answer to Question 5 'Have you changed your name since becoming a PR' is 'No'. For Question 6, she did have another name before which we listed. Do I need to submit supporting documents with respect to her name listed in Question 6 if her current passport, pr card, ID cards, etc. all have her current name already listed? In the guide it seems you only need to submit additional documents if you changed your name after becoming a PR.

The only document I have available is her old passport which lists her name and her current passport with the new name. The current passport does reference back the old passport so I think this would be sufficient. Should I submit this just in case?

 

[thecoolguysam]

If your wife has legally changed her name anytime during her life, she should explain and write.
In this case, attach the copies of current passport and old passport for name change reference. Also, see the information below:

Here is the link to the instruction guide:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0002-application-canadian-citizenship-under-subsection-5-1-adults-18-years-older.html

It states:

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing in Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

• A foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
• A document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation); and
• A document in the new name from Canadian provinces or territories (ex. driver's license, health card, age of majority card, senior citizen’s identification card, or social service card)

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing outside Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

• a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
• a document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation) or other foreign legal change of name document issued by foreign authorities; and
• an authoritative national or state/province (or equivalent) issued photo identification document issued in the country or state/province in which you reside that displays the new name, such as:
  • a foreign passport or other travel documents, if you are a dual citizen;
  • a state/provincial (or equivalent) identification card.

 

[elmatador]

If your wife has legally changed her name anytime during her life, she should explain and write.
In this case, attach the copies of current passport and old passport for name change reference. Also, see the information below:

Here is the link to the instruction guide:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0002-application-canadian-citizenship-under-subsection-5-1-adults-18-years-older.html

It states:

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing in Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

• A foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
• A document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation); and
• A document in the new name from Canadian provinces or territories (ex. driver's license, health card, age of majority card, senior citizen’s identification card, or social service card)

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing outside Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

• a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
• a document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation) or other foreign legal change of name document issued by foreign authorities; and
• an authoritative national or state/province (or equivalent) issued photo identification document issued in the country or state/province in which you reside that displays the new name, such as:
  • a foreign passport or other travel documents, if you are a dual citizen;
  • a state/provincial (or equivalent) identification card.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. We followed the instructions and included the information we had with respect to the name change. Thanks