Which Family Changes Must Be Reported?

Applicants with a PR application in progress must report material family-composition changes, including:

• marriage or a new common-law relationship;
• separation or divorce;
• the birth or adoption of a child;
• the death of an applicant, sponsor or listed family member; and
• a change between accompanying and non-accompanying status.

IRCC’s application-update instructions expressly list marriage, separation, divorce and a new child as reportable changes. The webform is normally used to provide the update and supporting evidence. Canada.ca

Marriage After an ITA but Before e-APR

A candidate who marries after receiving an Express Entry invitation but before submitting the electronic PR application must update the marital status and family information. The application should not be submitted as “single” simply because that was the candidate’s status on the ITA date.

Adding a spouse may change the CRS calculation depending on whether the spouse is accompanying and whether spousal education, language ability or Canadian experience is included. Recalculate the score before submission.

If the recalculated score falls below the cut-off for the invitation round or the candidate no longer meets program requirements, declining the ITA may be necessary.

A spouse who is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is not normally processed as an accompanying economic-class dependant. The marriage and the spouse’s identity must nevertheless be disclosed accurately.

Adding a Spouse or Child After AOR

If the marriage, birth or adoption occurs after the PR application was submitted, notify IRCC promptly through the webform.

The initial webform does not necessarily complete the addition. IRCC may subsequently request:

• a marriage, birth or adoption certificate;
• passport copies and photographs;
• updated application and family-information forms;
• background declarations;
• police certificates and immigration medical examinations;
• processing and biometrics fees; and
• confirmation of accompanying or non-accompanying status.

IRCC’s Express Entry instructions specifically provide for payment of fees when a spouse or dependent child is added after marriage or childbirth. Follow the personalized instructions sent by the processing office rather than assuming every case uses an identical document list.

Must Non-Accompanying Family Members Be Declared?

Yes. IRCC instructs permanent residence applicants to include spouses, partners and dependent children even if they are not coming to Canada.

Family members normally must complete medical examinations and background checks regardless of whether they are accompanying. Failure to declare them can affect the current application and may prevent the applicant from sponsoring that family member later.

An applicant should not conceal a marriage merely because the spouse plans to remain abroad. Disclosure and accompanying status are separate issues.

What If P1, P2 or COPR Has Already Arrived?

The answer depends on whether permanent resident status has actually been granted.

• P1 email received: The person is not yet a permanent resident. Report the change.
• P2 portal invitation or photo/address submitted: If eCOPR has not been issued, report the change immediately.
• In-Canada applicant before eCOPR: A new marriage, birth or other family change must be disclosed before status is finalized.
• Applicant abroad with COPR but not yet landed: Report the change before using the COPR to become a permanent resident.
• Change occurring after PR status was granted: The closed application is not ordinarily reopened to add a new spouse. A separate sponsorship or other process may be required.

The event date matters. A marriage or birth that occurred before eCOPR or landing should not be withheld merely because the approval document was already being prepared.

Separation or Divorce During Processing

Separation and divorce must also be reported. These events may affect marital status, accompanying family members, dependent children and supporting documents.

The update should clearly identify:

• the separation date or final divorce date;
• the applicant’s current legal marital status;
• whether the spouse remains accompanying;
• divorce judgments or separation documents; and
• any changes involving child custody or accompanying children.

Do not describe yourself as divorced before the divorce is legally finalized. A factual separation, a pending divorce and the legal termination of a marriage are different circumstances.

What Should Be Included in the Webform?

Provide:

• the principal applicant’s full name, date of birth and UCI;
• the PR application number;
• the immigration program;
• the nature and exact date of the change;
• the spouse’s or child’s identity information;
• accompanying or non-accompanying status;
• a list of attached evidence; and
• a request for instructions concerning any additional forms, exams or fees.

IRCC’s update page directs applicants to select the option indicating that they want to add documents supporting or completing the application, explain the purpose of the submission and upload proof of the change.

A webform update may not immediately appear in the online account. Keep the submission confirmation and copies of every attachment.

FAQ

Q1. Must I declare my spouse if they will not immigrate with me?
Yes. A non-accompanying spouse must still be declared and may need medical and background screening.

Q2. What if my baby was born in Canada?
Report the birth. A child born in Canada is generally a Canadian citizen and may not be processed as a PR dependant, but IRCC may still require the birth certificate and updated family information.

Q3. I married after submitting my address and photo in the PR Portal. Is reporting still necessary?
Yes, if eCOPR has not yet been issued. A P2 invitation or portal submission does not by itself confirm that permanent resident status has been granted.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information based on publicly available Canadian government guidance and is not individualized legal or immigration advice. The forms, fees, examinations and effect on eligibility depend on the immigration program, timing of the change, accompanying status and IRCC’s case-specific instructions.