Hey everyone...

Has anyone actually sent their Canadian Passport away to get thier married name added? I know it costs $12 and you just have to send in your passport with a copy of your marriage certificate- BUT my K1 is in there as well as my I-94, so I don't really feel comfortable with sending it away. Also, I don't live near a Canadian Consulate (at least 5 hours away).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

See my signature.

No, she means the VJ timeline feature which helps people search on country, consulate, type of visa, etc.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=32550

The signatures are a lovely method of seeing immediately the process for an individual while reading their post . However, another tool often utilized by the Vj community is the " Immigration Timelines" tab. If we all dont do our part to add and update our personal timelines , then the information held in the timeline section isn't as accurate as it could be.

so everyone is just going to harras the poor girl, rather than answer her questions?

Nice.

When I got my married name added, I was still living in Canada, so I went directly to the passport office to do it. It took them about a week I think. But through the mail, it'll definitely take longer, as they are backed up with everyone rushing to get passports now. You can't actually travel right now anyhow, so you might as well bite the bullet. Unless you think your AOS interview will be quicker than getting it back. Just be sure to keep a photocopy of it with you for ID purposes. Or wait til you're done with AOS and have your greencard for ID.

I know there is a link around here somewhere to the Canadian consular in US website with information on how to send your passport for updating or to apply for a new one.

I didn't see it as harassing, just explaining the difference between signatures and timelines.

(FWIW, I didn't change my last name so I don't know the answer but I did see it here somewhere already in another thread)

I sent my passport to have my name married name added to it. They said I should have it back in a month.

The only other alternative is to apply for a whole new passport, which would be much more of a hastle. Perhaps you could call Passport Canada and see if there's any way they can do add your married name as an observation and give it back to you the same day. Explain your situation, perhaps they'll be understanding

Thanks everyone for your tips/advice.

Timeline is now updated.

Thanks for doing your timeline Jashley. I apologize if I came off as harsh especially when you thought you had done it already. I hope that the timelines provide some use to you as well.

Mo

It came across a little strong, but I understand the reason behind it. I just didn't understand that the timeline was different from what was in the signature. It was helpful to see how some people got approved WAY ahead of me, and how some are still waiting. Its so funny how things work with all of this stuff...



It came across a little strong, but I understand the reason behind it. I just didn't understand that the timeline was different from what was in the signature. It was helpful to see how some people got approved WAY ahead of me, and how some are still waiting. Its so funny how things work with all of this stuff...

I sent my passport in to have my married name added BEFORE the deadline (June 1st). However, because they are back logged and it is taking them 4-12 weeks to OPEN your envelope (which puts me way past the deadline of June 1st) they will no longer add my married name even if they received my package before June 1st. Just an FYI for others waiting for their passports. So basically, its going to take them a month and a half to open my package and send it back to me.

WOW the canadian gov at its best!

Just be glad the Quebec government isn't in charge of it lol Just having my married name ADDED to some Quebec IDs was a hastle.

hehe i would blame the people who procrastinated until the last minute to send in their applications-- we have only known about the deadline for at least a year or so now Sorry that it worked out this way for you though

After AOS is completed, aren't we supposed to apply for a passport with the form for a Canadian living in the United States (or Bermuda)?

I'm lost now. What deadline of June 1st?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69427

Thou you may have known about the deadline for a least a year a so...i have only been married for about a month or so

The deadline to add your married name to your existing passport. Now if you want to have your married name on your passport, you must apply for a new passport.

Aren't we supposed to apply for a new passport anyhow because we don't live in Canada anymore? LINK

I dont know about you...but unfortunately I still do live in Canada hahahah.

I mean for when I get my green card after AOS. I don't want any surprises down the road when I can travel across the border. Anyone?

You have to apply for a new passport by mail. I dont really understand what you are asking but here is a the website addy. http://www.pptc.gc.ca/usa/submit.aspx?lang=e

If you are going to visit Canada for 2 weeks, I would suggest doing it in person because it is taking approx 3 months by mail. It takes about 2 weeks in person. Make sure you fill out the correct form. There is a special form for canadians residing in the US.

Thanks, but that's the same link I posted a couple of posts ago.
I figured other Canadians who have already gone through the AOS process after a K-1 entry, or know more than me, would be able to tell me whether or not I have to apply for a whole new passport after I get my green card. I've read numerous times of people who simply travel with their old passport (because it doesn't expire for quite some time) and they bring along their marriage cert. to justify their name change on their green card (passport still in maiden name). However, I'm wondering if we're supposed to apply for a new passport with the "living in the US" forms even if it seems most don't do it. I hope I'm making sense and my question isn't confusing. I guess my question isn't as straight-forward as I thought it would be.

okay thanks......I thought I had to get a new one anyway so I'm good.

I'm not blaming you, I'm blaming the peeps that waited until the last minute that caused the backlog! You had no choice, you had to wait until after you were married. It's been widespread knowledge for a long time that this was coming down the pike, you would think people who want to travel would have realized this would happen and prepare ahead of time....meh, I guess I have more faith in the mass populace than I should!

This is a great question! I haven't changed my passport yet to my married name, for a variety of reasons. I have traveled three times with my "maiden name" passport with no difficulties...yet! I haven't been told by any officials to go and get it changed, methinks I will take a trip to the local passport office when I am home in Canada to talk to them about it.

The backlog has been in place for the past year. I am just amazed that it takes 3 months to get a passport (if you send by mail).

Always good to have faith! I know what you mean though, my SO has KNOWN that he'll need a passport to come back and forth to Canada, but he's still putting it off!!! Guess I'm be coming home by myself to visit. sorry off topic.........

Glad to know having my passport in my maiden name probably won't cause any difficulties. Please let us know what you find out when you go to the passport office in Canada.

I will definitely do that!

If he is the american he actually doesnt need a passport to come to Canada. As of today atleast. I called teh CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) because BOTH my husband (in USA) and I (in Canada) are waiting for passports. He has a scheduled trip to come to Canada and visit next week. If you are an american comming into Canada you need proof of citizenship (ie. birth certificate or cert of naturalization) and one gov issued photo id (ie. Drivers). But he might have a prob getting back into the US hehehe. However, due to the massive american backlog i believe all you need is your ID and proof that you submitted your passport application.

So there...he has no excuse!

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/06/08/us-passports.html

Update on my passort situation in case some of you are in the same boat as me:

I called this morning and spoke to a nice older lady for about 35 min. I told her that Passport Canada received my package before June 1st and I was told that my request would not be processed. She informed me that it WOULD be processed and that whoever I talked to before was incorrect (The other girl actually confirmed that It would not be processed with a colleague...but whatever.). I asked her if she would confirm this with a manager/supervisor. She put me on hold and came back and told me it was confirmed. My passport would be processed. She also said that the other people i spoke to SHOULD have sent an email with my fed ex tracking number to the passport printing people to let them know that is was not a new application. She did that and she said it should speed up the process for me. If you are waiting for your married name to be added to your existing passport you should call and ask them to send this email because your package is sitting in a bin with new applications. It will be moved to a bin for supplementary services which hopefully will move along quicker. Morale of the story...when dealing with ANY gov agency you have to talk to atleast 4 people before you decide which is the correct answer. I will believe it when I have my passport WITH my married name added.

A of G&A