Referee on application

Hello
My second referee had her name changed on a deed poll but her passport and license she hasn’t changed her name over. She also signed her new first name on the declaration document along with her old name as her middle. Her original name is what I used on the application that has already been submitted and biometrics is in beginning of July. Do I need to explain this in a letter? As she signed it with the new name.
Thank you

Explain in a cover letter that the referee is using a new name and submit her deed poll (with her consent) as her passport still doesn't match the new name.

Thanks, I will ask her a copy of her deed poll

Giving an update as this becoming a nightmare and needing advice.

UK Citizenship Application
I will try to make it short. I applied for British Naturalization in June and came to find out one I couldn’t use my referee as they failed to tell me that worked for the home office, I was told after the fact I had finished my application and paid and they only told me when going to sign the declaration the issue. I was told they worked as Civil Servant. To be honest don’t even know what the job title means. I freaked out and withdrew my application. So I emailed right away the Nationality enquiry and ROD several other emails as i wasn’t sure on who to contact and to stop the withdrawal and to add a different referee. Supposedly, this was rectified and I went on to do my biometrics in July and upload my documents. Now, I’ve received an email stating I was being fully refunded the money because withdrew my application and I didn’t do my biometrics. I don’t know? What type of system they have going on, but I definitely did my biometrics and uploaded all my documents as I was told my withdrawal application was stopped back in June. I have the email from TLS Contact confirmation and status shows on their website all was sent. I emailed once again and I was told they spoke to the technical specialists (Who is the technical specialist?) and they reinstated and stopped the refund. I’m having huge issues thinking if they actually did their job this time as several people dropped the ball. They just gave me “ I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” and it’s their fault. I also, received an email last night from Home Office Atlas that they have no record of me doing my biometrics. Is there anything I can do at this point as I’m stressed and thinking nothing was done again? I’ve phoned them up days ago and they were absolutely no help and couldn’t answer any of my questions. I’ve also emailed nationally enquiry and further nationality. They will take forever to reply. Thanks for any help.

1 - when did you withdraw your application?
2 - did you find a new referee and have you sent the new declaration to the HO?

From what it seems, I think you are in either:

a - your application has been ackwnowledged as withdrawn and you will get the money back. Wait until you receive the money and submit a new application.
b - your application has not been acknowledged as withdrawn and the HO will contact you to ask for another referee.

I would suggest to find a suitable referee, send an email to the email addresses with the full timeline, and submit the new declaration. If in the meantime you get your money back, you know you were in scenario a and you can reapply. if you don't, you will have supplied the new referee so you should be covered for scenario b.

It was withdrawn in June 7th 2025
I emailed them that same day to stop it and to add another referee. They confirmed with me that I didn’t want to withdraw my application and I sent them the new details of the referee. Both ROD and Nationality further enquiry both confirmed I wasn’t going through with the withdrawal
Why I went ahead with my biometrics appointment the following month on July 8th

Fast forward: July 29th I got the email stating from home office atlas that I was being refunded cause I withdrew my application and biometrics wasn’t completed but it was on July 8th

Same day on July 29th I sent out several emails stating the email that I received back was please accept our apologies, this has been an error made on our part.
I have spoken to our technical specialists, they have stopped the withdrawal, your case will be reinstated, and you will not receive a refund. Again, please accept our apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

August 1st home atlas email stating now stating no record of me doing biometrics but says If you have already booked or attended an appointment to enroll your biometrics before seeing this email, then please ignore this reminder.


Think I described it better as a brake down. When I uploaded my documents on July 8th right after my biometrics I added a letter about the referee change and why, just in case.

It does happen sometimes that there are issues with the biometrics even when applicants have attended. Try to ask for a SAR and see if your biometrics were recorded. You can also email again and ask if they have retrieved your biometrics that you did on the 8 July.

I am assuming I’m emailing nationality biometrics for this? What’s SAR ? Sorry, never had any issues with my visa’s before so this is all knew to me trying to sort this mess. Is there a way I can try to get help for this issue right away or it’s all about waiting and giving proof what’s happened.

I'm afraid it will be a case of having to wait for an answer from them.

Write to

NationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
citizenship.Support@homeoffice.gov.uk
NationalitySupportTeamFMT@homeoffice.gov.uk
furthernationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

You can apply for a SAR here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration

Thank you for all the help most of those emails have what has happened.