Canadian VS Finland (and most of EU)

Yes I know, Canada lost the Ice Hockey World Championships and I didn't blog about it.  There - I just did.  (Finland didn't win either you know!)

Now, something that has come up recently, that didn't before - is getting my youngest son a guarantor for his Canadian Passport.
My first son, V�in�, did not have a guarantor because we didn't know anyone here long enough (minimum 2 years) and of a professional status such as:

• Dentist, medical doctor
• Judge, Magistrate, Police Officer
• Mayor
• Notary Public
• Practising Lawyer, Notary
• Signing Officer of a Bank

WHAT IS A GUARANTOR?
Oh, in case you have NO idea what I am talking about - a guarantor is someone that has known you for at least 2 years and is of a professional status (as mentioned above) and is willing to fill in your Canadian Passport application and sign one of your photos (the back of it) confirming your identity and the child's.
(Or in this case, my youngest - Ahti's, identity).
It is a major responsibility because if they're caught lying in any way, shape or form - pretty sure there are some consequences...and even though you might have been the mother (or father) and have endured a difficult pregnancy and a tough labour and lost a lot of sleep and have "technically" known the child since your honeymoon (or last date night away from the other kids) - you as a parent, CANNOT sign the paperwork as a guarantor.

So back in 2010, when we started applying for a Passport for V�in� - we didn't know anyone for at least 2 years (and obviously, neither did he) - so we went to the Magistrate and for a fee of 14� (may have changed since then) - they signed it as a Notary Public.  We had to provide our identification and that was all fine and done immediately.

Now, time has gone by and we have more friends and one of them is a practicing lawyer.
So when I asked her if she wouldn't mind being Ahti's guarantor - she asked me what she had to do.
Once I explained it all she said it was fine and we went over the paperwork and she filled it all in.

Afterwards, I asked her if it's the same for an EU Passport.
Nope.
Apparently they don't have anything like this system and they just ask about your parents birth dates and some other questions to confirm your identity and you of course, send in your photos and you get a passport.

I bet you're wondering why my kids don't have EU Passports now - aren't you?
My kids are yes, both born here, but because my husband and I are Canadians - they are automatically deemed Canadian.
If your child doesn't have any automatic ties to a particular citizenship once born, then I think you can apply for Finnish Citizenship.
There is a small possibility of applying for EU citizenship when the kids are older (and once we know what we're doing or where we are going!) and they could have dual-citizenship - which would be fantastic and open up so many doors for studying and travelling!!

So, if you have to go ask your colleague or friend to be your guarantor for your Canadian Passport - that's the kind of reaction you might get...because Finns simply don't have to do that.

For more information (direct from the source) on Canadian Passports - please check here.

And ONE SUPER-DUPER important thing!!!!!!!!!

If you are a Canadian applying for your child(ren)'s passport out of country and through the Embassy for example (Canadian Embassy is in Helsinki by the way) - you must use the form that says:

"Child Passport Application for Canadians under 16 years of age (abroad)"


"Abroad" is the key word and they WILL return the application to you as not filled in properly - or wrong form chosen...we've been there with V�in�'s application.
And yes, if you look closely enough - they're the same form numbers....just that stinking word "abroad" has to be on the front page, where you don't actually write anything on it.

And yes, another popular question is in regards to babies having their own passport (it lasts 3 years until the child is a bit older - then it lasts 5 years prior to needing a renewal.  The reason for this is because a baby's facial features change so much and so quickly.  However a Finnish police representative told me the EU passports last 5 years - even for babies because they measure different points than the Canadian system.)  It IS mandatory because that's how babies can get kidnapped or moved without the other parent knowing.
If you do plan on travelling without the other parent of the child - or even part ways and meet up later - PLEASE get the other parent to write and sign a letter for you to carry with you if you have the child.  Security/customs representatives WILL question where the other parent is and if you have that letter and explain what your plans are - it'll make it a much smoother trip for you and your child!!
We did this last year, my husband and I travelled to New York together with V�in� and he stayed in NY while I kept going to Canada and thankfully I had a letter because he drilled me with a few good questions about my husband's whereabouts and the status of our relationship!  (aka - "Are you two having any issues in which the child is involved?" - so in other words - you are fleeing to Canada so the hubby can't find you and the kid?)


And one more thing!  When I first filled in V�in�'s application - in 2010, I was required to submit a person to be my character reference.  They WERE contacted and asked a tonne of questions about me, my life growing up, my hobbies and interests, my previous jobs - pretty much anything and everything but my shoe size!  I don't think I have to fill anything out like that this time for Ahti - but be sure you pick someone that really knows you well - that is NOT a relative (if I remember correctly).
They contacted my reference by e-mail - so you don't have to worry about having a Canadian calling Finland on their own account!

Hope this helps and safe travels!

The Rules of Naming Your Child in Finland

That's right - naming your new baby is something a lot of parents are excited for - or are incredibly stressed about.
Our friends recently had a baby and upon leaving the hospital - you are given a birth certificate without the child's name on it.  Finns typically name their child once they learn the child's characteristics and personality...it's not often that it's planned ahead - like North Americans tend to do.
So our friends had picked out the first name already - but it wasn't registered through the Magistrate yet.
The Magistrate sends everybody information about what is okay and not okay to name your child.

You're probably thinking, "It's my child - it's none of their business what I name my children!"
Yeah you're probably right - go freedom of speech.  However, Finland has come up with these regulations of naming your child - so the child will not have "issues" or be embarrassed when they get older - and to eliminate confusion with other people who may have the same name.

Here's the rules (from what I can remember) - and I'll try and give the best examples that I can:

• A last name cannot be used as a first name.  (I.e. "Jameson, Ainsley")
• Your children's first names cannot match each other within 1 family.  (I.e. Siblings cannot be named "Paul" and "Paul")
• Siblings can have the same middle (or "second name" as it's known here) name.  (I know someone who has the same middle name as her two much younger sisters!)
• It is possible to name a child after yourself, like "Olli's daughter" - Olli being the father.  This is a very old Finnish way of doing things...it's not very common these days.
• The name given has to be a real name - not an object or name of something else.  (I.e. "Chocolate bars" or "Facebook".  Facebook was done in Egypt!)
• If the name is not approved by this council, when you register your child's name (and then can get a Kela benefits card for your child if you qualify) - you have to pick a new name.
• You cannot "make up" a name.  (I.e. "Nevaeh" is a popular name in North America...guess what it means?  "Heaven" spelled backwards.  And in case your'e wondering, yes Nevaeh is super popular!)
• Your child cannot have more than 3 first names.  (I.e. "Sarah-Jane -middle name- Smith" is acceptable - but not "Robert-Jason-Carl-Junior -middle name-Smith")
• No foul language or swear words for first or middle names... (Thanks to "Dominique D." for reminding me!)
• The name cannot embarrass your child when they get older or be overly foolish.  (I.e. "Taluah Does The Hula While Sipping On Kaluah" - there was an instance of something similar to this and the courts in Hawaii (?) had the parents change the name...and that was just the first name!)
• Boys cannot be given a girls name and vice verca (Thanks Pasi!).  There are very few and rare unisex names.

Remember- the purpose of these regulations is not to offend you or limit you in any way - but to protect the child from humiliation and embarrassment as they get older.

Just bear in mind all the forms people have to fill out as they get older - and the limited spaces available on the paper...and all the times they have to pronounce their names or announce it publicly - and if it's a tongue twister - it's not fun for anybody to learn or say!

Just in case you don't know what I'm talking about:

• Passport documents
• Drivers License document
• Bank accounts
• Credit Cards or student loans
• Travelling Visas
• Booking appointments (in person or on the phone) for doctors, specialists or reservations at a restaurant
• Registering for school or conferences
• Applying for jobs and submitting resumes
• Business cards
• Giving speeches or presentations in front of groups and having to introduce themselves
• Getting married and having to say their full name (and the spouse has to say it too!) during the ceremony

So - what will you name your kid?!