At this point my daughter and I still have our Canadian passports of course. They do not expire until 2009 or something. My question is, at what point do we need to (if at all) apply for US passports? Is it as soon as we get the green card or in a couple years when the conditions are lifted or not until we are bonified american citizens? Are we still Canadian?

As I understand it, you can't get an American passport until you are naturalized. You travel on your Canadian one until then.

Yep you cant get a US Passport until you become a citizen...

Kezzie

thank you for clearing that up for me. as for my name change can i just take my marriage certificate along with me to show the name change rather than trying to make the change in my passport?

You have a few years left on your passports. Personally I would have them updated.

I agree with Rebeccajo to update them.

Mary

Yes, that's what I'm planning on doing until it's time to get a new passport (2009).

If you do not change your passport to your married name and you plan on travelling, be sure to know that airlines will not accept marriage licences as forms of id for ticketing purposes. If your passport is in your maiden name, then the ticket will have to be in the same name. I've just had some issues with this. My passport doesn't expire for another 7 years and really I could do without spending another $150 right now to change it, but it seems in the long run that it will be much less hassle to change it now. Especially as the AP, EAD and GC will be in my married name.

I've already come across situations where for id purposes my British Passport and American Marriage Licence were not enough to establish a name change. They wanted to see a photo id in the married name. So it might be worth doing just for that purpose, to have another form of photo id.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/passports/responsibilities_e.asp

Curious, what were these situations?

I'm aware that you have to travel on tickets purchased under maiden name, if this is what you have on the passport.

The question's been answered many times--but I'll do so again.

You can apply for a US passport only after you become a US citizen.

Generally, US citizens need the US passport to re-enter US (till recently, the naturalisation certificate--a letter-paper sized document--could be used as an alternative if re-entry was from Canada).

Canada still considers you a Canadian, and you can use the Canadian passport to enter a third country (so long as you meet visa requirements if any[1]).

[1] I used both my Canadian passports (expired with originally-issued visa, and current) to enter India last May--and US passport to re-enter US at JFK.

So, what are the situations when passport + marriage certificate are not enough?

Situations I've encountered where British Passport and American Marriage Licence were not enough to establish change of name:

1) The Bank - We have a joint account, but my name on there is my Maiden name, they would not accept our Marriage Licence/Certificate (and yes it was an official one with raised seal) as proof of change of name.

2) Car Rental Company - Even with UK DL in Married name and Marriage Licence/Certificate, they would not accept it as my passport was still in Maiden name.

3) Hotels/Motels - Will only accept an American DL in Married name or foreign passport in married name when you check in or book. Marriage Licence again not enough!

We've been trying specifically to get both our names on things to build evidence of a joint life together for the Interview. It doesn't help when places like that will no accept Marriage Licences as proof of change of name. This is an American Marriage Licence/Certificate with the official raised seal on it. This is not a ceremonial copy which we have in our photo album or anything like that.

I see -- I have a California DL in married name now, so that's not a problem. Before I got the DL I used the EAD for ID purposes.

It's true that banks are weird that way -- one accepted the marriage licence with DL in maiden name to change the name on the account. They were even willing to deposit a check in married name into the account in maiden name. The other one wanted to see ID in married name to change the name on the account and/or accept the check. (This was before I had EAD).

With DL/state ID in married name you should have no problems doing business anywhere. It's only the international travel that you need the passport for.

Yes, but it is damned frustrating until you have those and you're trying to establish yourself!!!

True, but to change the passport is no picnic either. It may be much easier for UK citizens, I don't know. In my case, it'd probably take months, cost at least $150 (let alone I may need to change the internal passport as well).

If one already has a US DL in maiden name, then changing it at DMV took 30 min (with appointment) and $0. Received it in a week. Although one has to make sure that SSN has already been changed to married name before going to DMV.

Gee, thanks for reminding me that I'll soon have to check into doing Indian passport (for Pras only--I've never had one as an adult) changeover.

I wonder if India or Russia has more beurocracy when it comes down to passport! I'm not looking forward to this.