Passport refused - uncancelled passport in maiden name

[yoshi_jp]

If I remember correctly, I just wrote to the head of the passport office and that fixed the mess in the end (after a really long trail of incompetence), but I cannot say it works for everyone, and it isn't probably worth doing.

I think the only realistic way forward for you at the moment is to have your child registered properly in Poland with PESEL, etc.(I know. I know. It's a real pain in the ####) and send a Polish birth certificate, zameldowanie or any such official documents to the HMPO.

I think the UK government shouldn't have any say whatsoever over how a Polish national is called by the Polish government in their own official documents and, when I checked last time, they didn't have any jurisdiction over Poland, but somewhere in their bureaucratic food chain they might have some misguided layabouts who think the entire world operates according to the English Common Law and names can be changed with ease. Polish government should really tell the UK government to get stuffed, but, having known them personally, I don't think they will.

[Sylwianotts]

I know... A 5 hour trip with me and dad (or paying for a legally written permission) to register the birth, paying a fee, after having paid for translation of BCs, then paying for application of pesel and again a 5hr roundtrip for both me and dad for the passports... Plus paying around 250 for "damaged" passport... After paying a small fortune and taking days off etc, I may be able to go somewhere next year... As first available appointment is June. I think I'll stick to not going abroad if the HMPO doesn't realise how ridiculous this has gotten...

I can obviously appreciate the members in the situation where they want to keep the foreign passport with different, even slightly, name, but I don't have one- its cancelled, I supplied everything they needed and they keep changing their mind... The manager stopped replying to my emails once I said I will be quoting him when making an appeal for compensation of missed flights (this Saturday ) although I'm sure trying to get a compensation from them over refusing my application due to their own errors will be even harder than getting a passport. :/

[FighterBoy]

How did they know about this cancelled Polish passport in a different name? Did you send it to them or did the birth certificate amendment flag up suspicion?

I concur with those in the thread saying the government should be taken to court and have this injustice put right.

[jonab26]

Hi all,

I had my first British passport interview yesterday and got worried when the interviewer pointed to me that I am using 'double identity'.

I am married but all of my travel documents are in my maiden name (driver's license, Philippine passport and naturalisation certificate), so I applied for my first UK passport using my maiden name. However the interviewer delved in the fact that I am using my married name in my bank statements and professional memberships etc...She asked if I sent a copy of my marriage certificate to HMPO to support my application (but I didn't because it wasn't asked for) Has anybody had similar experience? Do you think I will have problems?

Thank you.


Jay

[yoshi_jp]

Sylwia,

You've obviously done everything that you were supposed to do. I think they are just taking a p###.

You can write to the head of the HMPO:

Mark Thomson
Director General,
Her Majesty's Passport Office
2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

It's probably a good idea to use a recorded delivery and also write on the envelope, "Confidential - only to be opened by the addressee" or some such stuff.

If you want to win, you need to take the king. I've used this approach to deal with mobile phone companies, gas/elec suppliers, etc when they were telling nonsense.

--

Yoshi

[FighterBoy]

I don't understand how the issue of a different name in a cancelled foreign passport can crop up with those born in the UK. Either Sylvia made a bad decision to send it unnecessarily, or dual nationals are spied on and subjected to more scrutiny.

[noajthan]

Hi all,

I had my first British passport interview yesterday and got worried when the interviewer pointed to me that I am using 'double identity'.

I am married but all of my travel documents are in my maiden name (driver's license, Philippine passport and naturalisation certificate), so I applied for my first UK passport using my maiden name. However the interviewer delved in the fact that I am using my married name in my bank statements and professional memberships etc...She asked if I sent a copy of my marriage certificate to HMPO to support my application (but I didn't because it wasn't asked for) Has anybody had similar experience? Do you think I will have problems?

Thank you.
Jay

Mabuhay.

The HMPO may write and ask you to decide on one name and to stick to using that one name;
(that is, to use one identity as HMPO seems to see it).

[jonab26]

Hi noajthan,

Thank you for your reply. Guess I will just have to wait for either a passport or a letter from HMPO.


Kind regards,

Hi all,

I had my first British passport interview yesterday and got worried when the interviewer pointed to me that I am using 'double identity'.

I am married but all of my travel documents are in my maiden name (driver's license, Philippine passport and naturalisation certificate), so I applied for my first UK passport using my maiden name. However the interviewer delved in the fact that I am using my married name in my bank statements and professional memberships etc...She asked if I sent a copy of my marriage certificate to HMPO to support my application (but I didn't because it wasn't asked for) Has anybody had similar experience? Do you think I will have problems?

Thank you.
Jay

Mabuhay.

The HMPO may write and ask you to decide on one name and to stick to using that one name;
(that is, to use one identity as HMPO seems to see it).

[deepinderbhatia]

I had a similar case last week, when wife did quite openly say in her interview that she has her INDIAN passport in Maiden name and Cert of Naturalization in Maiden name and is also applying for her British Passport in Maiden name. But she did say that she is also know by her married name and uses for DL / Bank Etc...........That spoilt it. They called back and said they cannot issue BP unless she changes to married name on Indian Passport (which cannot happen as she seizes to be India Citizen after naturalization) AND also applies for Naturalization in married name. After much pleading, they have us two option.
1. Change all DL and Banks to Maiden name ... which is what we want to do
2. Surrender Indian passport, apply for BP in married name with Deed Poll / Marriage Cert... Which we don't want to do, as we want her to have the BP in maiden name to match her 40 years of passport history with India and Visa / ILR / Naturalization history with UK.
we are now in the process to change the DL etc. with a Change of name Deed and statutory declaration.
Has any one done this? also if they don't change DL then we will go for option 2, but can any one guide to website which tells us how to change naturalization certificate in married name? even though we got married in India 12 years ago and just took naturalization last month.

[deepinderbhatia]

So My MP acted like an MP no help, The next appointment with MP is on 26th feb, means after a month of 1st Appointments,

So I went to VFS london Paddington yesterday but before that I forwareded the Hci london email to them,
The reply I received is below, I received this 2 hrs later I submitted my application.


There at VFS I asked them do they need Name deed, They said that this is a common scenario British home office is frequently asking for surrender certificate and we are taking the application without having British passport. HCI london know this your case is not an exception.
They didn't asked for the undertaking either. So i paued the money , submitted the application without any British passport.
Got SMS today from VFS . now waiting..


Why they cant just mention the whole thing on the website.

email is below.

--------------

Info On Passport & Consular Services India In UK <Info.Ppt-Consularuk@vfshelpline.com>
To xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Feb 9 at 12:30 PM
Dear Shashank,

Thank you for your email.

All such applicants should be able to produce all documents required apart from a new British Passport, in place of the British Passport the applicants should be advised to write an undertaking (addressed to the High Commission of India or Consulate General of India in Birmingham or Edinburgh as the case may be) for their inability to provide a British Passport and also confirming that if the HCI or its respective consulates were to issue a Surrender Certificate, ‘Passport Applied for’ remark will be ‘acceptable’ under the foreign passport details section on the Surrender Certificate.

Kindly refer to the following link for detailed information on documents required: http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/Surrender.html and click on the documents required tab.


Best Regards,
Avit Singh
Information Service Desk
VF Services (UK) Limited

This e-mail is only for the use of its intended recipient. Its contents are confidential and privileged. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the e-mail and its contents from your computer. VFS does not guarantee that this e-mail has not been intercepted and amended or that it is virus free.

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 08 February, 2016 2:25 PM
To: Info On Passport & Consular Services India In UK
Subject: Fw: Request to Surrender Indian passport without obtaining British Passport.


Hi

I have a appointment tomorrow In London Paddington office. I am surrendering my Indian Passport but I still haven't received my British Passport yet. I have the naturalisation certificate.
I have received the conformation form HCI London to surrender the passport, Please check the email below.
So If there is anything else I need to bring please let me know.

Regards
Shashank
----------------------------------------------------------------

Note As this is a public forum, I have removed all personal identifying details from your post so as to maintain your privacy & security.

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- Board Moderator

hi Shashank, did you hear back from HMPO or MP ? I am curious as I am in the same boat as you.

[Wales27]

Similar situation here, though maiden name used for everything still bar one credit card, I've been advised they want me to change name to married name in US (almost expired)passport or return US passport so not different names despite me wanting maiden for all my docs! Told them I have holiday booked in maiden name and all official bank, mortgage, citizenship, work etc in maiden name so want passport in maiden name but phone staff advised wouldn't be possible he did not think though will email through and I should have a call back within 48hrs! I'm hoping against hope that when call is returned some sense will prevail but others experiences great to hear about and anything I can do to help. I'm happy to cancel my one credit card in married name or change it back to maiden name, twas a friendly bank person who was keen to get me married off that send me new card!

[FighterBoy]

I can't believe this is the kind of thing that goes on in 2016, this thread and the forum generally. You'd think there are better and more important things to do in life. It's like a sci-fi film, the people vs malfunctioning evil robots. Britain is messed up.

[jonab26]

Similar situation here, though maiden name used for everything still bar one credit card, I've been advised they want me to change name to married name in US (almost expired)passport or return US passport so not different names despite me wanting maiden for all my docs! Told them I have holiday booked in maiden name and all official bank, mortgage, citizenship, work etc in maiden name so want passport in maiden name but phone staff advised wouldn't be possible he did not think though will email through and I should have a call back within 48hrs! I'm hoping against hope that when call is returned some sense will prevail but others experiences great to hear about and anything I can do to help. I'm happy to cancel my one credit card in married name or change it back to maiden name, twas a friendly bank person who was keen to get me married off that send me new card!

Hi Wales27,

Have you had your interview yet? They sent me a letter asking me to prove that I am using my maiden name for official purposes so I sent them my provisional driver's license, a letter from UKVI and my work payslips. Fingers crossed.

[deepinderbhatia]

well they finally gave us 2 options
1. Change indian passport to maiden name to which we said cannot happen or
2. Change all DL and other documents including utilities to maiden name.
my wife said that she needs to discuss with me and then will give a final answer, so she requested a call back from the case worker who is from Belfast office.
SURPRISINGLY next day the case worker calls back after us chasing and has conveniently forgotten that she gave us 2 options and then starts giving us a tough time only on option1, not wanting to budge. By this time we had already started work on option 2 and got a statutory declaration and Change of name deed done. SO I got very anxious and spoke personally to the case worker and almost pleaded that my wife does not want her passport in married name... Was then passed over to another collegue of her who was more learned and said that INdian embassy is now issuing surrender cert without the UK passport. BUt when I told him that want to go with option 2 he almost did not agree because I think they were just interested in closing the application to make money for a new one. FINALLY he agreed and then they have sent a letter saying that we need to submit
1. Statutory declarations saying my wife will only use maiden name going forward for all official docs
2. As many proofs from last one year in maiden name ..like income tax letter, council, utility bills etc...........we have started changing the name back to maiden and also sent Licence for update ...hope this govt department (DVLA) does not come up with another demand.
3. Self declaration

we now feel that the HMRC and HMPO are not in sync with each other. Our Naturalization application clearly stated that my wife is also know by her married name. These guys should have objected there and then or informed us to change name in india passport before we take oath.
Waiting now for Licence to come back with changed name in maiden name and then send all proofs once and for all.
By the way wales 27 how did they know that you have one credit card in married name? did you tell them or did it come out on the back of a credit check they did.

[noajthan]

SURPRISINGLY next day the case worker calls back after us chasing and has conveniently forgotten that she gave us 2 options and then starts giving us a tough time only on option1, not wanting to budge.

...

we now feel that the HMRC and HMPO are not in sync with each other. Our Naturalization application clearly stated that my wife is also know by her married name. These guys should have objected there and then or informed us to change name in india passport before we take oath.

Two key points from this ...

1) Try to get confirmation in writing from HMPO of any agreed plan of action that has been made by phone.

2) Yes, HMPO & HO are definitely out of sync;
that is despite some tweaks and updates to the naturalisation guidance forms etc that have eventually been made since this type of started occurring, well over a year ago.

[Wales27]

Yes I had the interview last Friday and was silly enough to mention had one credit card in married name and that maybe I might eventually go on to change to my married name but as was advised to keep things simple had stayed with maiden name to go through citizenship! I'm happy to send them proofs of bills in maiden name if they will accept and declare as needed that will stay with maiden name. I know so many friends who use both their married name and maiden name with work etc but if security has meant this is changing then I accept it just don't want to be forced into using married name and messing about with old US passport etc!

[yashpatel]

Hi,everyone
My wife got same problem as she have maiden name in all
Documents but as we advice by post office that if we want to change name, we just need to attach marriage certificate only
. Now passport office want her to change name in naturalisation certificat and Indian passport as well.
That we can't....
Anyway I decide to withdraw her application and re-apply
With her maiden name as she have everywhere.
Pls can you advice me that withdraw is right decision or
Should I do something else
Pls halp me
Thanks

[Wales27]

I had good news with a text saying passport now on way following my sending docs with proof of maiden name in use for everything and the change of one card back to maiden name, thank you to all of those who share their experiences here as helped this whole process so much.

[deepinderbhatia]

I had good news with a text saying passport now on way following my sending docs with proof of maiden name in use for everything and the change of one card back to maiden name, thank you to all of those who share their experiences here as helped this whole process so much.

Hi, congrats ... Just curious n 2 things as we are in the same boat
1. How did you convince the examiner to this path of maiden name use only and
2. What all docs dos they ask for?

[Wales27]

I had good news with a text saying passport now on way following my sending docs with proof of maiden name in use for everything and the change of one card back to maiden name, thank you to all of those who share their experiences here as helped this whole process so much.

Hi, congrats ... Just curious n 2 things as we are in the same boat
1. How did you convince the examiner to this path of maiden name use only and
2. What all docs dos they ask for?

Thanks you very relieved. I only have used my maiden name throughout my life bar this one credt card, the customer advisor said to send in evidence of changing the card back to maiden name plus evidence of bills etc, I sent utility bills in my name and tax history as well as covering letter declaring intention to remain using my maiden name. I think the fact been married a few years but still known and using my maiden name helped.

[Ziuta]

I eventually got my passport and guess what it was misspelled

I ended up registering my marriage in Poland, getting Polish passport in my married name and then getting British passport. Now I have to resend everything because of HMPO inability to read application form and transferring details. I was also told that I have to pay for the return post, it is a joke, their mistake they are paying.

Best of luck to those struggling.

[noajthan]

I eventually got my passport and guess what it was misspelled

I ended up registering my marriage in Poland, getting Polish passport in my married name and then getting British passport. Now I have to resend everything because of HMPO inability to read application form and transferring details. I was also told that I have to pay for the return post, it is a joke, their mistake they are paying.

Best of luck to those struggling.

You have had quite a journey; glad to know you are on last lap and will soon be free of such Kafkaesque bureaucracy.

[C1947]

Hi to all you guys on this forum who have given me some brilliant advice on this subject although i have been i silent reader.I would like to say a very big thank you.
My daughter in law is thai and has had to jump through all the hoops like everyone else to gain her british passport.
Her thai passport has maiden name and her thai id card has married name,her bp always had her maiden name as per passport.
Her citizenship cert was applied for in married name and was granted in married name,we used ncs and lady said if she applied for british passport in married name she would recieve passport in married name although thai passport was still in maiden name.
I informed the lady about new rule stating that british passport had to match thai passport but she was adamant that if she applied in married name she would be fine.
I was still a bit unsure so when daughter in law filled in passport form she entered married name and sent proof such as thai id/marriage cert/national insurance cert/council tax bill, all in married name.
She also requested on form if she could have british passport in married name.
Conclusion is she has just come out of interview office in liverpool and has been told her passport will be in married name.
I know alot of you guys have been having trouble with this and maybe the rules have been relaxed a bit, but i dont know what swung this for her unless it was her thai id in married name or a bit of grovelling on the form asking for married name.
All the interview questions what some of you kind people have posted helped her enormously.
Thank you again and with a bit of perserverence passport was given in married name.

[vinny]

Did they put her maiden name in the observation field in the passport?

[C1947]

Hi Vinny
Thats what she asked for but until she recieves the passport i dont know.
I will update you when passport arrives.