Question about name (surname) change for my wife

[maruti81]

Dear friends
I am in the process of filing PR for my wife, as we got married recently.

1) For my wife on her PR application forms, what last name she should use? I heard that if she uses my surname (sponsor's last name), it is much better in the long run when she comes to Canada, as otherwise it is a cumbersome process to do a name change in Canada.

1) What is the process for changing last name(surname/maiden name) in India for my wife, so that she can start using my last name for her? How long does it take?

2) Currently, she has the Indian passport based on her maiden last name. I am thinking of asking her to get the name change in her passport. How long does it take to get the change in last name in her Indian passport? Fees etc.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

 

[rambopg]

You are asking very specific questions regarding India.

Please post these questions on New Delhi 2014 thread and also in New Delhi 2015 thread.

Personally I didn't get my wife's last name changed because I thought it will take too long for her new passport to come in india and I wanted to apply for her PR ASAP after wedding. If it is too much hassle to change last name in Canada then I will prefer that she keep her maiden last name.

Someone who has gone through the process of name change can shed more light on the New Delhi specific threads.

2014 thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/new-delhi-2014-applicants-t180473.0.html

2015 thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/new-delhi-2015-spousal-visa-applicants-t258676.0.html

 

[maruti81]

Thank you rambopg.

 

[Vikram18]

Dear friends
I am in the process of filing PR for my wife, as we got married recently.

1) For my wife on her PR application forms, what last name she should use? I heard that if she uses my surname (sponsor's last name), it is much better in the long run when she comes to Canada, as otherwise it is a cumbersome process to do a name change in Canada.

1) What is the process for changing last name(surname/maiden name) in India for my wife, so that she can start using my last name for her? How long does it take?

2) Currently, she has the Indian passport based on her maiden last name. I am thinking of asking her to get the name change in her passport. How long does it take to get the change in last name in her Indian passport? Fees etc.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

1) If your wife wants to change her last name, fastest option is to get it done in India before applying. Although it is not mandatory to change her last name.

2) She has to get a notarized affidavit which states that she is changing her last name after marriage. The format of the affidavit is pretty common, you can google it or the people who write affidavit also know. They will also need your marriage certificate and a photo of both of you together. Affidavit can be done in a day. After the affidavit, change her last name in her passport.

3) If she is only changing her last name and adding you as her spouse in the passport (and not changing her address), then the new passport will be issued pretty fast. My wife got her new passport in 3 days (although it may vary a bit for passport offices). Don't remember the exact cost, but it was around Rs 1500 for normal and Rs 3000 for tatkal.

 

[maruti81]

Thanks Vikram18 for your helpful inputs.

The things is that my wife already gave her old passport number for the upfront medical examination and police clearance certificate.

Can she change her name on the Indian passport AFTER submitting the application to CIC ? And then once she gets her new passport with her new last name listed me as spouse, then maybe she can update CIC of that new passport information?

Friends, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[YYC787]

3) If she is only changing her last name and adding you as her spouse in the passport (and not changing her address), then the new passport will be issued pretty fast. My wife got her new passport in 3 days (although it may vary a bit for passport offices). Don't remember the exact cost, but it was around Rs 1500 for normal and Rs 3000 for tatkal.

Really? Its that quick? Maybe we should have done that!

I was under the assumption that it would take too long. We decided to apply under her maiden name and change it after PR.

Can she change her name on the Indian passport AFTER submitting the application to CIC ? And then once she gets her new passport with her new last name listed me as spouse, then maybe she can update CIC of that new passport information?

I'm not sure what the official rule is, but I would avoid changing the name if you've already filed your paperwork for the medical and PCC. The PCC is going to come back with her maiden name on it, as will the medical results.

Once you apply, I don't think you can change her name, but I'm not 100% sure.

I think you'd be better off going either one way or the other...don't try and change the name in between. Since you've already started the paperwork for the meds and PCC, maybe just proceed with her maiden name, and change it after her PR is done.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

The things is that my wife already gave her old passport number for the upfront medical examination and police clearance certificate.

Can she change her name on the Indian passport AFTER submitting the application to CIC ? And then once she gets her new passport with her new last name listed me as spouse, then maybe she can update CIC of that new passport information?

Friends, what are your thoughts on this?

Yes, your wife can change her name and update CIC with her new passport. This will have no effect on the medical or PCCs. It may cause a slight delay in processing while they update it but nothing much.

 

[YYC787]

Yes, your wife can change her name and update CIC with her new passport. This will have no effect on the medical or PCCs. It may cause a slight delay in processing while they update it but nothing much.

I stand corrected!