Surname issues
 

Hi,

We are starting our application GSM 175 and are trying to get all the papers in order. I have read several threads about similar issues with surnames on papers, but as they are so unique I want to confirm my situation if anyone can help.

My wife has an Italian passport, so on the photo page her surname is still her maiden name, it is only a few pages back where they write an italian word then her married name. I know that for the application we must use the name on the photo page, however, all her documents in the UK use her married name, so the two will not match up. To confuse things more, she changed her name by deed poll as we got married in Greece, so that doesn't legally change her surname through marriage. (Translating the marriage certificate is another issue - I'm still convinced I bought a time share instead of getting married!).

Is it ok to just send all the documents and assume they will work it out or is there something specific I need to do.

thanks,

Swins.

Re: Surname issues
 

not to sure but generally speaking should she not have a new updated passport with her married name ? if she dosent have one it may be worth getting one.:unsure:

Re: Surname issues
 

I would love it to be that simple, but Italian passports never change the surname of the women after marriage, it will always show her maiden name. It is a very strange system, makes it fun flying as well as the name on the tickets and usually different to the name on the passport page, although most check in staff are used to this by now. I still wonder whether it is just going to be easier to get her a British passport first!! When we went to australia at xmas DIC said we should use the name on the photo page only for the ETA even if the tickets were in a different name and we had no problems at all.

Re: Surname issues
 

If she is eligible for a British passport that would be the easier option, by the sound of it :)

Re: Surname issues
 

Well thats a whole other question, which I have never looked in to. I'm british and we were married in Greece. No idea how easy it is for her to get a british passport now, with all the new regulations in place?

Re: Surname issues
 

You live in the UK at present? How long have you been married, and how long has she been in the Uk with you?

I should add that I don't know the answer personally, but the more details theat you can give, the more one of the experts is likely to be able to help.

Re: Surname issues
 

She has been here for 14 years, been married for nearly 3. She has studied here, worked here and we now have a kid here. She has actually never lived in Italy, its just from here dad that she has the passport.

The only thing I have seen about british passport is that is costs £655 and take about 14 weeks and will involve a test of some kind!

Re: Surname issues
 

Don't know if the info you need is here but I found the Italian site for Aus Migration. I didn't look through it, just seeing if there was one :lol: http://www.italy.embassy.gov.au/rome...Migration.html

Anyway, it may be worth her while contacting them. They would see your problem all the time.

Re: Surname issues
 

Thanks, I will look in to that one, hadn't thought about trying that route, but anything that means I don't have to resubmit all those forms has got to be worth it.

Re: Surname issues
 

I think I'd go with the name that's on the passport biodata page and put her married name in the 'have you been known by any other names' section of the application. I would also write a covering letter explaining the situation. I'm sure it's something DIAC must have seen many, many times :)

Re: Surname issues
 

we got married in jamaica in december and my passport still has my previous married name (mainly as i refused to pay £75 for a new one when iv had the old one about 9 months!). my visa application was sent under my old married name as well as listing my maiden and new married name:huh:! (not sure how this would work if visa was granted as if i change my name on my passport it would be different to name on visa) so much confusing red tape to cross before we are at the finish line. good luck with your application

also my children have different names than on their birth certificate so we had to incude change of name deeds for this too!

nothing if simple with us!:eek:

Re: Surname issues
 

interesting, exactly what my Malaysian passport is like!! the photo page shows my maiden name and then few pages later, my married name. so whenever something requests for my passport, i always send copies of the 2 pages. has never been a problem so far..
did cross my mind about getting a british passport (which i can easily) but as a Malaysian we're not allowed dual nationality. i wanted to keep my passport.. so i get best of both worlds!! call me greedy :p

Re: Surname issues
 

Well if that all works out then I don't think we will have much to worry about at all!
Good luck, I hope you get an understanding CO.

Re: Surname issues
 

Dear Swins,
With regards your wife and the British passport. My understanding is that after living in the UK as your wife for 5 years or more, she is entitled to a British passport should she wish to apply for one, without any strings attached. I gleaned this information from the British Counsel in Jakarta 8 years ago when I got married. My wife is Indonesian, we actually never returned to the UK. There may have been changes over the years, but certainly worth checking out. Is it really that expensive to get a British passport?
Kind regards
H.

Re: Surname issues
 

Hi,
I,ve got THREE surnames myself!!! Long story, have degrees, school certificates under one name and wedding cert under another. I applied making sure to fill in the part on whether I have different names well. Also try to provide as much legal proof as you can.
I think it is best to use the name on your passport as the "main" name since the visa will logically be issued on that name