Update Passport
Details

You are not legally required to update your passport immediately after a name change — you can continue to travel on your existing passport in your maiden name until it expires. However, if you are applying for IRCC immigration benefits, a spousal sponsorship, or other government services, having your passport name match your other identity documents (such as your marriage certificate and provincial ID) avoids confusion and potential delays. We recommend updating sooner rather than later, especially if any immigration applications are planned.

You apply through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa to have the dual citizenship endorsement recorded in your passport — in practice, this means a new passport is issued with the dual citizenship status reflected. You’ll need your current Sri Lankan passport, your original Dual Citizenship Certificate, NIC, photos, and the completed application form. We handle the full application. Processing takes 6 to 10 weeks. The fee is USD 100 — paid to the High Commission.

Yes. Canada allows you to apply for a new passport whenever your legal name changes — you do not need to wait for the current passport to expire. The new passport will be issued with a full 10-year validity (for adults), regardless of how much time remained on the old one. The fee is the same as a renewal: CAD 160 for adults. Your old passport is cancelled and returned to you.

It can cause issues at Sri Lankan border points and government offices that cross-reference the NIC number electronically. Sri Lanka has migrated to a 12-digit smart NIC system and older passports with the previous format can occasionally cause mismatches in government databases. We recommend updating the NIC number in your passport, especially if you travel to Sri Lanka regularly or are in the process of any Sri Lankan government applications. It is done as part of a new passport application through the High Commission.

For travel purposes, you can generally continue using a passport in your previous name as long as it is valid — airlines and most border agencies accept it if you carry your marriage certificate or legal name change document to explain the discrepancy. However, for IRCC applications, Canadian government services, and Sri Lankan High Commission dealings, having consistent names across all documents is much cleaner and avoids explanatory letters and potential delays. We advise on whether an update is worth doing now or can wait, based on your specific situation.

Yes — visas in your old (cancelled) passport remain valid as long as they have not expired. When travelling, carry both your new passport and your old cancelled passport together so border officers can see the visa. Most countries accept this arrangement. Some countries (notably the USA) require the visa holder name to match the travel document — in these cases, you may need to obtain a new visa. We advise on any specific country concerns when we process your update.

For a Sri Lankan passport update (which results in a new passport being issued), the fee is USD 100 — paid to the Sri Lanka High Commission. For a Canadian passport name change or detail update, the fee is CAD 160 for adults (10-year passport) and CAD 100 for children (5-year passport) — paid to Service Canada or Passport Canada. There is no separate “update fee” in either system; the fee is the same as issuing a new passport. All fees are government fees paid directly to the authority — our service fee is separate and quoted clearly during the free consultation.

In this situation, we almost always recommend combining both into a single application — a renewal that also incorporates the name change. You submit one application, pay one fee, and receive one new passport with updated details and full validity. Doing two separate applications (update now, renew in a year) would mean paying the government fee twice. We confirm this approach and handle the combined application during your consultation.