Hi,
We are applying Outland. My Wife has a current U.S. Passport with her Maiden name and it doesn't expire till 2017. She tried to get the name changed on it, but they said they don't do that, she has to get a new passport. Does she even need to get a new passport?
Please advise, so we'll go this week and apply for a new passport, if it is needed. Thanks again for all your help.
Yep that helps alot. Thank you! I
guess if we hadn't changed her name, then she wouldn't have needed a new passport. Oh well, they have an expedited service, she wants to have it before she leaves Florida, to stay with her folks in Tenn for awhile, before she comes to Canada. They said expedited is 3 weeks door to door.
Thanks again.
OK, wait -
have to get a new passport for what? In order to make her eligible to apply for PR? The answer to that would be "No". The PR application instructions say to apply for PR with the same name that is on the passport or travel docs - so, if she's not particular about applying for PR and having her PR card be issued in her maiden name, then she doesn't have to change her name on her passport until she renews it in 2017. Most people, though, are a bit particular about their identification documents all being in the same name. So it's up to her, really.
That said, it really isn't a big deal to get a name change on a US passport. It can even be done by mail from Canada. I did it. The information you need is on
this State Dept website - she'll need to submit her existing passport; an original, certified copy of your marriage license (to prove the name change is legal); a specified number of passport photos; and a US funds money order for the fees. They will issue a new passport (new number, too) and return it to her by mail along with her old passport - which she should keep for her records.
She has legally changed her name to her married name. Her current passport is in her Maiden name. It doesn't expire till 2017. We are using her current passport, which is her Maiden name to apply Outland.
But we need to know when it gets to the stage to send in her passport at the time it requested, can we send the one she has now, the one in her maiden name which does not expire till 2017, with a copy of the Marriage Certificate to support the name change.
We've used her married name for the whole application except for the part that says to type in the name as it is seen on her passport.
I am just trying to avoid spending $75(Name change) +$60(expedite) + $40(express postage with tracking number) = $175.00 to change a U.S. Passport, if it not necessarry.
My wife is sort of like that, as far as wanting all her I.D. to be in one name, but she too would rather not spend the extra money either. Yet if this is another expense that makes this procees go smoother, than we will of course spend it.
Sorry , if this sounds garbled. From looking at the link that was posted for me from Hrobins, the website says if the U.S. Passport is over a year old (it was issued in 2007) and there is a name change, she has to do an Adult Renewal. So I guess that is what we have to do.
Immigration Canada doesn't care if her passport is in her married name or in her maiden name. As long as it's still valid (as far as the expiration date) they don't give a care. They will, however, issue the PR card in her maiden name if her passport is still in her maiden name . . . because they have to match . . . even though her legal name is different and you filled out the application (except for the part about "use the name on the passport or travel docs") in her new, married name.
It is possible to submit the application with the maiden name information and a copy of the passport with the maiden name on it, and then update that with a copy of the new passport during processing so that they'll issue PR in her married name - but it's not required. She can always change the name on her passport at a later date, and then apply for a new PR card with the new name on it, too, at a later date. In the end it will cost you more - because I think there's a $75 fee for a new PR card - but in 2017 maybe the cost won't be as much of an issue as it is now.
Yes, and thanks again. And you're right, the extra money later will not be an issue then.