Marriage between a Canadian and am American

[redstarwarrior 0]

I will be getting married within the next month to my fiance in Canada (Ontario to be specific).

What I want to know is, what do we do after the marriage?

I'm not talking about the visa application, but rather what she needs to do as far as changing her name (getting a new Social Insurance card or whatever they are called), etc. How will this affect her health benefits, etc.?

I'm also interested in what effect it may have on me and what I need to do. I don't plan on placing her under my insurance until the POE, though I am looking at adding her to a few of my accounts.

I'm sorry for my ignorance, but I attempted to Google it and did not find a definitive answer (though, the fault may lie with me for that).

Any help you can provide or experiences you can share will greatly assist us.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I think you need to provide a little more information to get a proper response, such as what sort of visa did you apply for?

[Anh map 2,098]

Be sure to check with your insurance provider regarding when you can add your spouse.

[canadian_wife 1,831]

In Ontario you have 2 choices. You can legally change your name or you can assume a new name.

http://www.ontario.ca/en/information_bundl...ividuals/119596

As for ID - I changed my driver's licence first using our marriage cert. and then that made it easier to change my name on my health card, SIN card, passport etc. Each bureau has their own forms she'll need to fill out but having the driver's licence done, as a government form of ID, is certainly helpful.

It shouldn't have any affect on her OHIP, that is until she becomes a US resident, plenty of Ontario residents change their names.

Good luck.

[redstarwarrior 0]

I think you need to provide a little more information to get a proper response, such as what sort of visa did you apply for?

Haven't applied for a visa yet and we aren't married yet. I'm trying to prepare beforehand.

Any ideas on how a name change will affect the visa paperwork? Do we use her old name or new or what?

Edited February 2, 2010 by redstarwarrior

[LiLMermaid 2]

It won't affect the paperwork. You'd be applying for a CR1 visa which is a spousal visa. The forms will ask her current name and married name. Only downside I can see is you'd have to wait until she has her identification in her married name before applying as you have to send in copies with her current name on them. Still easier in the long run to change her name first though then wait until after immigration.

[ZansGirl 0]

And I thought the name on the passport and the name on the visa had to match....So, if your passport is in your MAIDEN name...wouldn't your Visa???

To be safe I applied for a new passport before we sent in the paperwork....thought it would be easier that way

[canadian_wife 1,831]

It's not that they have to match, it is that the visa is issued in the name that is in the passport

So yes, if she wants to use her new married name in the US, changing her Canadian passport would be wise so the visa and green card are in tne new name

Good luck

[birdnerd 5]

Depends what your fiancée wants to do. I'd been using my own name for 25 years, both personally and professionally, so didn't feel I needed to change it. I can still cash cheques that are addressed with my married name, and if there are any problems, I have my marriage certificate to prove that I can use that name. In Ontario, you don't have to go through the whole process of a legal name change (which results in brand new or amended birth certificate, passport, license, etc. etc.), she is legally able to use her maiden name, married name, or a hyphenated combination thereof, without having to change documentation.

Just ensure that you choose one path and stick with it, as her documentation will need to be consistent.

[redstarwarrior 0]

It's not that they have to match, it is that the visa is issued in the name that is in the passport

So yes, if she wants to use her new married name in the US, changing her Canadian passport would be wise so the visa and green card are in tne new name

Good luck

This is what I figured. She does want to use the new name, so we'll go through and get her DL, SIN, bank accounts, passport, etc. changed over.

In response to birdnerd, I don't think she'd need a new or amended birth certificate nor do I understand why they would do that for a marriage-related name change.

Thanks to everyone for their responses thus far. Every little bit of information helps!

[ZansGirl 0]

FYI..from what I was told when I lot my S

IN card and had to order another...they do not change the name on it...if you were issued on in your maiden name....THAT will be the name on the card....it was for me anyway..

[OBX 51]

FYI..from what I was told when I lot my S

IN card and had to order another...they do not change the name on it...if you were issued on in your maiden name....THAT will be the name on the card....it was for me anyway..

I had no problem changing my SIN to my married name. All they required was my marriage certificate. I used my married name for our I-130 application and then proceeded to change all of my ID. The photocopy of my passport was not required until the NVC stage so I had plenty of time to get everything changed over. Good luck.

[Krikit 1,166]

In response to birdnerd, I don't think she'd need a new or amended birth certificate nor do I understand why they would do that for a marriage-related name change.

I believe Quebec has some peculiar laws concerning this.

Welcome to VJ.