Names to appear on citizenship certificates

Prior to January 1, 2013

Learn more:

Grant applications

The name on the certificate will be the name shown on the Immigration document (Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or 5509), or Permanent Resident Card), or a provincial document as listed below.

Flag name(s) on the Immigration document are not permitted unless they appear on the provincial document. Name(s) referred to in the Remarks area of the Immigration document which indicates “....the names should read...” or “...the client's full name is ...” can be shown on the certificate.

Clients must provide a copy of a provincial document or an approved IMM 1436 – Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) if they want to use a name other than the name shown on the Immigration document. If the name on the Immigration document and the provincial document are not the same, the applicant must satisfy CIC staff that there is a link between the names. In order to establish the link between names, various documents may be used, which include, but are not limited to, a legal change of name document, a marriage certificate, or an adoption order.

Acceptable provincial documentation is listed below.

First time proof applications filed under section 12

Clients residing in Canada

The name on the certificate will be the name shown on the person's birth certificate, Immigration document, foreign passport, or provincial document. If the name on the provincial document is not the same as the name on any of the other documents, it is the applicant's responsibility to satisfy CIC staff of the link between the names. In order to establish the link between names, various documents may be used, which include, but are not limited to: a legal change of name document, marriage certificate, or adoption order.

Acceptable provincial documentation is listed below.

Clients residing outside Canada

The name on the certificate will be the name shown on the person's birth certificate, foreign passport, marriage certificate, legal change of name document or, in exceptional cases, the name indicated on a statutory declaration if a legal change of name cannot be obtained.

Replacement certificates

Clients residing in Canada

The name on the replacement certificate will be the name shown on the previous certificate, unless the applicant provides a provincial document showing a different name. If the name on the previous certificate is not the same as the name on the provincial document, the applicant must prove to CIC staff that there is a link between the names. In order to establish the link between names, various documents may be used, which include, but are not limited to: a legal change of name document, a marriage certificate or an adoption order.

A certificate issued before February 15, 1977 may show a name with another name in brackets, by which the person is known in the community. The replacement certificate will show the same name as the name on the previous certificate, but not the name in brackets, unless he or she has a provincial document showing the name in brackets.

Certificates issued between February 15, 1977, and January 15, 1996 may show two names on the certificate. The applicant's new certificate will show the name on the front of the certificate (formerly known as the Full Proper Name) or the name that appears on a provincial document, and if necessary, a document to establish the link between the names.

Applicants for replacement certificates may choose either the full proper name, or another name supported by provincial documentation.

Acceptable provincial documentation is listed below.

Clients residing outside Canada

The name on a replacement certificate will be the name shown on the previous certificate, unless the applicant provides one of the following documents: birth certificate, foreign passport, marriage certificate, legal change of name document, adoption order indicating legal change of name, deed poll or, in exceptional circumstances, the name indicated on a statutory declaration if a legal change of name cannot be obtained.

If the name on the birth certificate or foreign passport is not the same as the name on the previous certificate, the applicant must satisfy CIC staff of the link between the names. In order to establish the link between names, various documents may be used, which include, but are not limited to: a legal change of name document, a marriage certificate or an adoption order.

A certificate issued before February 15, 1977, may show a name with another name in brackets, by which the person is known in the community. The name on the replacement certificate will be the name shown on the previous certificate, but not the name in brackets, unless the person has one of the following documents showing the name in brackets: provincial document showing name, birth certificate, foreign passport, marriage certificate, legal change of name document, adoption order indicating legal change of name, deed poll, IMM 1000 or, in exceptional circumstances, the name indicated on a statutory declaration if a legal change of name cannot be obtained.

If a certificate was issued between February 15, 1977, and January 15, 1996, AND IF it shows two names on the certificate, THEN the applicant will receive a replacement certificate showing the name on the front of the certificate (formerly known as the Full Proper Name) unless the applicant provides a birth certificate, foreign passport, marriage certificate, legal change of name document, adoption order indicating legal change of name, deed poll, provincial document showing name or, in exceptional circumstances, the name indicated on a statutory declaration if a legal change of name cannot be obtained.

Handling names that may get shortened on the citizenship certificate

During the processing of their application, if the applicant requests to have their full name on the citizenship certificate due to a truncated name on the immigration document and the full name does not appear in the “Remarks” section of the immigration document, local offices or CPC-Sydney, depending on the location of the file, will ask the applicant to provide an explicative letter with a copy of one of the following documents:

• the passport of entry used to immigrate in Canada, or
• the Canadian visa counterfoil affixed in the passport, or
• the birth certificate issued prior to the date of entry to Canada

The office responsible for the application will assess the information provided by the applicant and conduct a mandatory FOSS check before correcting the name. Once the name is corrected in GCMS, new clearances will be initiated with the full name.

There is no fee if the request is made within 90 days from the ceremony or after the certificate was mailed from CPC-Sydney. After 90 days, the new citizen must submit a complete proof application and pay the appropriate fee.

Provincial documents used to establish name

• a driver's license issued by a province or territory of Canada
• a legal change of name document issued by a province or territory of Canada, or obtained by court order in Canada (includes deed poll outside Canada)
• vehicle ownership or registration issued by a province or territory of Canada
• age of majority card issued by a province or territory of Canada
• provincial or territorial health card
• senior citizen's identification card issued by a province or territory of Canada
• provincial or territorial enumeration record
• social services card issued by a province or territory of Canada
• adoption order indicating legal change of name issued by a province or territory of Canada
• trade certificate issued by a province or territory of Canada
• birth certificate issued by the province of Quebec indicating birth outside of Canada
• student card or school record

Legal change of name for citizenship purposes

• Learn more about legal change of names.