Spouse Surname and Life in UK test

[shrikant124]

Hi

I and my wife applying for ILR in July 2012. After entered in the UK on dependent VISA, my wife used my family surname on Council Tax and Banks. (This is a common practice in India) The surname on her passport is her maiden surname before marriage. When I went to book the life in UK test, the customer care person said my wife need a proof of address matching her name and surname same as her passport.

For last 2 years, my wife has been using my family name for registration everywhere and now we don't have any letter/bill to show proof of address which match her surname on passport. The Life in UK test customer care suggest me to open a bank account with her maiden surname to show proof of address.

The problem here is that, the related documents is going to verify at IRL processing centre and they can doubt on conflicting surnames of the bill and letters (to prove cohabitation) so I am worried.

Is there anyone who came across such situation? I hear that the Home office can issue a letter which show a proof of address for my wife. Do anyone knows any contact number/address?

Please let me know if anyone have any information as this is becoming bit stressful.

[asorts]

Hi Shrikant124,

Were you able to sort this out?

I am in a similar situation as yours.

[shrikant124]

Hi Shrikant124,

Were you able to sort this out?

I am in a similar situation as yours.

Yes, I am able to sort out this.
My spouse had applied for "change in the surname on the passport" in Indian embassy. I think, if your country is endorsing a change in the surname then generally it accepted everywhere in UK.

My spouse changed surname on the passport and applied for Life in uk test. It took around 2 weeks time. LIUK test centre accepted new passport.

Apart from that, most of spouse documents are on my Surname so it become easy to show cohabitation proof too.

I hope, this would help you.

Thanks
Shrikant

[asorts]

Thanks for your response.

Is her Biometric Residence Permit in her maiden name?

My BRP is in my maiden name and I am just worried. I hope this wont be an issue when I apply for the ILR(BRP in maiden name, passport and LITuk test in married name).Although I have my marriage certificate.

[shrikant124]

I didn't think about BRP. I think, my wife has biometric info on the VISA.

But, change in the name is still valid as we have 2 passporst. one old passport with the maiden name and another with new surname. The new passport has reference of the old passport. Apart from that I have marriage certificate too so shouldn't an issue with ILR.

Please let me know what are your plan in such cases.

[asorts]

I also have the old passport in my maiden name and a new one in my married name.

I do not want to apply for a change of name because I know it takes a while for them to get this done and I have to apply for my ILR soon, so I'll just wait till then and use my marriage certificate as a proof of link between the two names.

I'll also try and call them next week and find out what they say

[tracy1980]

I have a similar problem. I cannot change the name on my passport as my country has an id card which first has to be changed and that is in process but is taking ages.
My passport matches the BRP as both are in maiden name but my other documents and work ect are all in my married name . I am hoping my ILR will not be a problem because of this. Any advice appreciated.

[gordon750]

Similar problem here, my wife's passport/BRP are in her maiden name (her country doesn't allow her to change this) but all valid proof of address is in her married name. I'm guessing this is OK if she goes to the Life in the UK test with our marriage certificate but I don't want to take a chance and lose £50 (and my wife has to resit) if I'm wrong. The only solution I can think of is to temporarily change the name on one of her bank accounts to her maiden name but this is a lot of hassle to do.