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Wife’s surname for citizenship application

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mathnmusic

Star Member
Aug 12, 2019
67
73
Hi all,

We’re starting the citizenship application process now and I have a question regarding my wife’s surname.

On her PR documents as well as her foreign passport, her surname is still her maiden name. However, we would like to try to get her citizenship in her married name. She already has provincial IDs (driver’s license, health card) in her married name. Note that we were not married in Canada, but Service Ontario seemed to be okay with that in order to process the provincial IDs in the married name.

The citizenship application, however, seems to want her foreign passport to be in the married name as well. I’m worried about how long it will take to try and update that, since it would mean a brand new passport. I don’t want to hold up the citizenship application because of this.

Is it possible to submit just the foreign passport, foreign marriage certificate and provincial IDs for proof of the married name, or do we definitely need the foreign passport updated? Alternatively, does it make more sense to just apply for citizenship in the maiden name and then change it later on when applying for a Canadian passport?

Sorry for the long read, but I would appreciate any help!
 
E

Eivar4311

Star Member
Jun 11, 2022
62
55
mathnmusic said:
BUMP - can anyone help here?
Click to expand...
Hello - I am speaking from my experience of having my name updated at the time of applying for PR. Have your wife complete the application with her married name. There is a section that asks "Have you ever used any other name?" She should select yes and enter her maiden name. Have her submit along with the application, her IDs that have her updated name. She should also write a letter and submit it with the application, indicating that she is now married and using her new name and is making a formal request to have her citizenship certificate reflect her new name. You should both include a copy of the marriage certificate as well with your application.

I hope this helps! All the best :)
 
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minnie99

minnie99

Star Member
Sep 24, 2020
74
54
Ontario
Eivar4311 said:
Hello - I am speaking from my experience of having my name updated at the time of applying for PR. Have your wife complete the application with her married name. There is a section that asks "Have you ever used any other name?" She should select yes and enter her maiden name. Have her submit along with the application, her IDs that have her updated name. She should also write a letter and submit it with the application, indicating that she is now married and using her new name and is making a formal request to have her citizenship certificate reflect her new name. You should both include a copy of the marriage certificate as well with your application.

I hope this helps! All the best :)
Click to expand...
Hello! Thank you!!! I am preparing to apply for citizenship soon and I will do this. I have the same dilemma as the original post - I changed my name in Ontario, but didn't apply for a new (foreign) passport). Now I'm panicking because the website says they need the foreign passport in the new name.

Was your PR card in your maiden name?

Here is my post if you need more context: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/name-change-before-citizenship-application.865060/
 
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