ID Change

From Passport Canada:
"Notice – Passport Canada – New requirements for supporting identity documents when applying for a passport"

The following changes to the supporting identity document (ID) requirements for passport applications will take effect on October 20, 2014.

Changes to the ID rules for adult applicants

New criteria have been added to the proof of identity document requirements for a general adult passport application (for applicants age 16 and over).  To be accepted, the identity document must be issued by a federal or provincial/territorial government authority, or local equivalent abroad, and must contain all of the following elements:

• name,
• date of birth,
• sex,
• photo, and
• signature.

If an applicant is unable to provide a single piece of identification that fulfils all the requirements, then one or more additional pieces of identification which, when combined, fulfil the requirements, may be accepted. All pieces of identification must be linked by at least one common element.

New requirements to assume a relationship surname

If you are applying for a new passport in an assumed relationship surname that is different from the name on your birth or citizenship certificate, you must submit one of the following documents, issued by a federal or provincial/territorial government authority, or local equivalent abroad, along with your birth or citizenship certificate:

• a marriage certificate; or
• a common-law relationship certificate; or
• a court order (i.e. separation agreement or divorce order/judgement) issued by a court of law in or outside Canada; or
• a certificate to dissolve a registered common-law relationship; or
• a resumption of surname certificate.

Note that the identity document submitted in support of your passport application, must display the relationship surname you are requesting.

New requirements for legal name changes

If you are applying for a new passport following a legal name change, you must first update your proof of Canadian citizenship (i.e. your birth certificate in Canada or your Canadian Citizenship Certificate) to reflect your new legal name.

^ This seems to make sense except for when you take into account that it takes 10 months to a year to get a Canadian Citizenship Certificate (I know from personal experience.) So to have to update that Certificate just to change your name on a passport is ridiculous. Your old passport and new marriage/divorce certificate should be enough. The Canadian Government needs to do more to provide timely services to their citizens and 10 month to a year is too long especially when you consider the amount of people Canada has overall. ^


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/notices/2014-09-18.asp