Refused to sit Life in UK test - name issue

My wife had a LIUK test booked, we specified passport as proof of identity as Biometric residence card has expired now (couldn't get a test slot before current visa expiry, but submitted application for ILR before expiry).

We registered under her name, lets say it's Helen Angela Smith, with Smith being her married name.

Her passport (from nearly 6 years ago) is Jamaican and it shows the Surname as: Smith née Green (with Green being her maiden name).

They refused entry to sit the test because her passport surname shows Smith née Green whereas we booked with surname Smith.

Clearly this is absurd as this is only meant to identify the person attending the test is the applicant, however...

First question - is this standard format for surnames on Jamaican (and/or other) passports?

Second question - how should I enter the details when I register for a new test? Everything else is in her married name, e.g. bills, and we only provided her maiden name when required specifically e.g. on the application form, so I don't think it's right to include this name on her registration details for booking the test?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

You will need to book the test exactly in the same name as on her passport/BRP.
If she is known by any other names, you would/should have given the details in the online form.

Hello and thanks for reply.

I'd still be interested to know question 1 whether it's normal for name to appear like this.

In reply to your reply, surely you have to register the booking of the test in the correct name? i.e. matching the application, or next thing I will find is ILR could be refused because the test booking/pass wasn't against same name as the applicant?!

In my view, despite you are correct but the staff at test centre have acted responsibly due to being chained up fiercely with their own guidance. Better to rebook the test in exactly the same name as appearing in the passport or if you have spare time then get your passport be updated with married name, the same of which is more desirable.

Hi thanks for that, however re the passport there is nothing to be changed, I don't believe. My wife has asked her mother and her name is in exactly the same format, so I am fairly sure the answer to my question 1 is yes this is normal for Jamaica passport. So there is nothing to be changed on the passport, it's the format Jamaica uses for passports. And despite what it says on the LIUK test booking site about it being exactly the same, I do not accept that I just enter an incorrect surname in the booking (i.e. Smith nee Green) when that is NOT her surname, her surname is Smith and that is what is used everywhere else.

The first and the surname has to be exactly how it shows on the passport/BRP.

You can add surname as Smith and rest in the forename(s) if that is how it is on the passport also.

The FULL name booking the test should appear the same as the passport/BRP.

gpm468 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:38 pm

Hi thanks for that, however re the passport there is nothing to be changed, I don't believe. My wife has asked her mother and her name is in exactly the same format, so I am fairly sure the answer to my question 1 is yes this is normal for Jamaica passport. So there is nothing to be changed on the passport, it's the format Jamaica uses for passports. And despite what it says on the LIUK test booking site about it being exactly the same, I do not accept that I just enter an incorrect surname in the booking (i.e. Smith nee Green) when that is NOT her surname, her surname is Smith and that is what is used everywhere else.

gpm468, sorry to say but there is no amount of reasoning that will excuse the situation, it is what it is. The registration should be in the same way/format as the means of identity to be used for her. And HO in their forms makes provision for any difference by giving option for applicant to state any other name the person may also be or known as. That could have been used in this situation.
When you re register, let it be as the means of ID you plan to use i.e. passport else you do name change.

Read the following conspicuously written terms & conditions which an applicant agrees on priorly as a stipulation for being allowed to sit for the test.

4. Why does the information I’ve given during registration have to be exact?
The information you give when you register for a test must be an exact match to the ID presented. If this information is not correct you may not be able to take the test and we will not refund your test fee. This is why you agree to check that you have entered your personal details correctly.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... he-uk-test

While I realise it is almost as futile to argue with those trying to help me, as to follow Home Office procedures... I would like to re-state my case that the requirement is technically 'impossible' to meet in my case. And I'll re-use the text when I write my formal letter(s)...

Written at the top for the online form:
These are the details that will show on your results letter.

The section PERSONAL DETAILS, has the field titled 'Last Name'. The only correct value to enter here is "Smith". Her name is not double barrelled or anything. Her surname, since we were married and used at the time of her passport renewal 6 years ago and everything since, is Smith. And presumably this is the name I need to be shown on my results letter.

This text also shown which posters here have referred to:
Please note the name you provide below must be an exact match to the name contained on the document ID you present at the test centre. (etc)

Without the online form providing an additional field, there is no way I can both (a) enter her surname correctly (Smith) and (b) provide it exactly on the passport because Jamaican passports present both the surname and the maiden name written together in one place.

If the online form had one field for applicant personal details (where I could enter 'Smith' as surname and another one for name as shown on ID document (where I could enter Smith nee Green) then it would be fine.