How to change last name on Canadian documents?

[StephyD 0]

Hi,

I am canadian and just got my green card in the USA, and changed my last name to my husband's. Now i'm wondering how to change my bank account, student loans, passport, etc. If anyone out there has done it already, could you please let me know what and how you did it. It would make my life a tad easier.

Thanks!

Steph

[Inky 1,110]

Passport you would do from online, print out the forms get the items you need to send with it and you may have to get someone in canada to sign it for you not sure if they still do that or not. http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/section1.aspx?lang=eng thats the link to the passport change to married name thing.

Im not sure if you can change a loan.. bank you would probably have to send them a copy of your marriage certificate with a letter but i would suggest calling the bank and asking them.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

The Marriage Certificate is the Key

Go to DMV and bring your marriage license to show the name change

Go to social security to have the name change and get a new card.

Then you can take the next step by going the post office for the passport and so on.

[Inky 1,110]

Then you can take the next step by going the post office for the passport and so on.

This is VERY wrong. ONLY AMERICAN CITIZENS go to the post office.

If you are renewing your passport or changing the name on the passport you do it online or with your respective Country Embassy in the usa.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

For me, my bank (ScotiaBank) wouldn't allow me to 'change' the name on the account unless you legally change your name (not simply assume your new name which is commonplace in Canada). They did allow for a note to be made in case cheques were deposited in my new name. Student loan was the same (simple notation in the system, not a full name change). But calling both institutions to find out their policies is key.

Use your marriage certificate to change your name on your driver's licence. You can then use that to change your name in other areas, like your passport (you'll have to apply for a new passport, not a renewal), health card, etc.

Good luck.

Hi,

I am canadian and just got my green card in the USA, and changed my last name to my husband's. Now i'm wondering how to change my bank account, student loans, passport, etc. If anyone out there has done it already, could you please let me know what and how you did it. It would make my life a tad easier.

Thanks!

Steph

[Moosker 7]

You just need your passport, green card, and your marriage certificate!

[antda 13]

Hi StephyD,

In answer to your questions, here are my answers, based on my experiences:

Basically, for most of the name changes, all that is required is your marriage certificate and some sort of identification with your married name (green card, driver's license, passport, etc.).

Note too, that for financial matters (bank accounts, loans, employment, etc.) in Canada..you need to update your SIN first to reflect such a change financially.

-If one needs to travel internationally with their married last name and need a new married name passport, they would have to re-apply all over again for a new Canadian passport...(using the 'difficult' general application process forms, as the simplified application process forms cannot be used for married name changes)...grrr....For more information as to applying for a Canadian passport read here: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng

-I also have the following documents/identifications:

Expired Old Canadian Passport (maiden name, but with married name paper notation)

Valid New Canadian Passport (married name)

US Green Cards (married name) (note: I filed for the AOS/I-485 and I-751 in my married name) (note: I gave up my cards when I got US Citizenship)

US Naturalization Certificate (married name)

US Driver's License (married name)

US SSN Card (married name)

Marriage certificate with me (maiden and married names)

Canadian Citizenship/Naturalization card (maiden name, very outdated)

Other US Cards and/or Identification (bank cards, credit cards, medical cards, legal documents, etc.) (married name)

-I only notified Revenue Canada/Elections Canada (with the "final tax return", to protect myself from tax fraud) (married name)

-Social Insurance (Human Resources Canada) as I didn't need new card and I wouldn't be working in Canada (maiden name)

-I didn't notify OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance) as my card already expired (maiden name)

-I didn't notify the MTO (Ministry of Transportation) as my license was transfered and destroyed here by the DMV (maiden name)

-I also closed up my Canadian bank account in Canada. (maiden name)

Anyone else I need to notify, I can't think of, government-wise and financial-wise that I should notify, and haven't done such.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Married=Married name...)

Hi,

I am canadian and just got my green card in the USA, and changed my last name to my husband's. Now i'm wondering how to change my bank account, student loans, passport, etc. If anyone out there has done it already, could you please let me know what and how you did it. It would make my life a tad easier.

Thanks!

Steph

Edited January 1, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA