British Passport application on hold

[welo1970]

British born and passport holder. I have my British passport since birth with first, middle, and last names, matching my birth certificate and all UK records; DVLA, HMRC, banks, land registry, etc.

I immigrated to Canada. In my application I used my British passport and the immigration back then but the Canadian embassy used my first and last name only on the approvals. Adding the middle name then would have taken long time and my husband could not wait. So all my records in Canada (drivers license, tax, bank, etc) are all in the first and last name.

All spellings match.

Now I live in 3rd country as Canadian, all my records in here are in First and Last name.

I tried to renew my UK passport and declared my Canadian passport during the application and sent a copy. My application is on hold waiting for me to align my Canadian passport with the UK i.e. must add the middle name. Changing either passport now is going to create a major hassle for me and possibly potential high cost. I am committed to do but it will take time.

I phoned HMPO and explained the situation to no avail. I asked for administrative test and also no approvals. How can I resolve this? I am committed to aligning the names but that will take a long time. I also asked them to add an observation and also not accepted.

I sometimes feel that my requests are not thoroughly considered. Any help or suggestions.

[contorted_svy]

It is their policy to expect names on all passports to match. You need to get your name updated on your Canadian passport or do a deed poll and give up your middle name.

[alterhase58]

These kind of cases are not uncommon, unfortunately.
HMPO have a policy on this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... accessible
There are exceptions in place where the policy may not be applied. I would doubt though that complexity and cost is a reason.
Are there any officially (Canadian Passport Authority) stated reasons why it's difficult or lengthy to obtain a new passport which includes the middle name? Is there a rule that only first and surname are printed? Can you provide anything official from the Canadian side to that effect?
I guess HMPO should be very familiar with Canadian passports so they should know about specific rules. Perhaps Canadian members here have more insight on this?

[welo1970]

Thanks for your reply.

Changing name is possible in Canada, I agree. But it takes time. Given family and personal situation, I am unable to travel immediately and the process itself takes time. Legal Name Change takes time, and longer if you are overseas. I am not opposing. I suggested that they add a note or observation on observation page but not accepted.

My concern if I drop the middle in the British Passport, it won't match the birth certificate, and that may cause another problem in future such as this problem came out of nowhere.

What is Deed Poll?

[contorted_svy]

It's a document that you can use to change your legal name. If you use this it won't be an issue that your birth certificate states another name. https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

[lolo2]

I'm not sure about the deed poll option, the guidance mentions:

If you’re a permanent resident overseas, you cannot change your name by deed poll.

I think you should ask the Canadian authorities to amend this, they should have produced a passport matching the name in your original British passport. It happens that some countries issue passports to foreign nationals sometimes using their own name structure and not the one in the original passport. But in theory, they cannot change this information.

We've seen other members having the same issue, but it's also the applicant's responsibility to get this corrected as soon as they see the names don't match, to avoid any issues in the future.

The guidance cited above lists a number or reasons: civils, security/safety, etc why one must keep the same names and last names across all legal documents of any nationality we acquire.

[welo1970]

As I mentioned, the process is not complicated, it just takes time; 3 months for name change, 4 months for citizenship cert, and then apply for a new passport.

I will work on it throughout the year. However, HMPO is only giving me 1 month. Even if I ask for an extension, they will probably give another month.

1- What will happen if I withdraw the application? Do I normally get the old passport back? I read the policy linked above "name alignment" but it is complicated.
2- How will I apply after I get the name changed, especially if I don't have the old passport. Do they give an officail reciept of passport? The only thing I have is the courier delivery reciept.

[contorted_svy]

You need to cancel your existing application, get your passport back, then reapply with your new passport. The old passport will need to be cancelled once ypu get the new one.

[welo1970]

I realize this is what I need to do. It is going to be a long and costly journey, but will have to do it.

Is "Cancel Application" and "Withdraw Application" the same thing? I was given an email address to request return of my supporting documents, and that email says for withdrawal as well. HMPO given me a deadline after which they will withdraw, should I let it withdraw automatically by them or should I do it myself?

Need an advise please: there are 2 choices in Canada to change/amend name in passport:
1- request a new citizenship certificate with a new name and justification, and send the original certificate for processing. The process takes 9 months to a year. Once a new certificate with new name is ready, apply for passport.
2- apply for legal name change. No originals are required and takes up to 3 months. Seems simpler process to me. Cost wise the same. Similarly, Once a new name certificate with new name is ready, apply for passport.

I like the second choice since it is simpler, quicker, and requires no originals. I am just not sure if there is downside to legal name change. In my case I am not seeing any, I am not professional or employed, I am housewife. I maybe have to change the name in banks and drivers license only. Although so many banks nowadays using first and last name only despite providing passport with full name including middle.

Any opinion?

[contorted_svy]

I would email them and ask to cancel the application and get sent your documents back. I am not an expert on Canadian legislation but option 2 sounds the most sensible as it is unlikely that the HO would accept to change your name on the certificate as it is in your legal name and you can request a name change in Canada.

[welo1970]

Just as an update:

After submitting evidence of starting the name alignment process, application was approved, passport printed, and picked up by DHL from HMPO.

Picked up Wednesday 23rd, processed at East Midlands 24th and stopped progressing since then. DHL CS saying it is with customs for inspection. It has been one week. DHL are not asking me for anything, they say just wait.

I have requested a tracer with DHL, and now they are doing warehouse search, not sure what to expect.

Does this make sense? Any suggestions what to do?

[contorted_svy]

That sounds like a DHL issue. Not sure what to advise.