Hello Everyone,

This is regarding my name change. I am a landed immigrant here and got divorced from my husband. My Indian passport has my husbands surname (he is a canadian citizen).

I am doing the neccessary paperwork for surname to be changed to my maiden name. After getting the name change certificate i will be changing it wth bank,SIN,health card,work,drivers licencse etc..

Now, i am currently eligible to apply for citizenship but am waiting for that name change certificate. So when i apply i can put that and copies of all my ids's wth new name with the citizenship application. This will ensure i get my citizenship with new name as well.

But, if i need to travel within this period after i have applied for my citizenship. Can i travel with my Indian passport with my old (husband's) surname? or do i need to change it on indian passport as well?

Kindly reply.

Warm Regards,
....

Hi Pizzagirl11,

I would recommend you to change your surname on your passport as well. Yes, you can get your surname changed on your passport the same time you sent your citizenship application. This will entitle you to travel with your new surname.

Now, first thing you must do is to pay homage to Indian Consulate in Toronto (If that's where you are). Printout a form from the Indian consulate website (Miscellaneous Changes). Attach your pictures, copy of your PR card, name change certificate issued from your local vital statistics agency and bank draft for a fee. I also did this exercise couple of months ago. I would recommend you to please confirm the paperwork from the website or visit personally. Once you submit your papers, they will take about 2 weeks to stamp your passport with the surname change.

I would also recommend you to carry your name change certificate anywhere you travel outside of Canada. Just to make sure.

When you apply for your citizenship, there's a clause for a required name to be on your citizenship and existing name. You can mention your new name over there. Rest all will go smoothly.

Don't worry, it's pretty easy.

Here's the link that you might require:

http://www.cgitoronto.ca/passportsvr/passportsvrmisc.htm

Hi Febpreet,

Thanx a lot for prompt reply and advise. Just wondering i am applying for my citizenship next month.

Dont you think if i need to travel in the meantime i can travel with my old passport and name change certificate (cuz if i change my indian passport thn that will be different from PR card).

Cuz after a few months i will anyways get a canadian passport with new name on it. So can i not keep indian passport the same and travel wth a copy of name change certificate if i have to travel in next one yr till i get canadian passport. or will dat b a problem?

Note : Also the link you provided for indian counsulate only assists with name change ie. addition of spousal name. which is easy wth a marriage certificate. Chanding name is totally different and that website has nothing related to it.