Name change on naturalisation certificate

[kwool]

Hi guys,

I received my naturalisation certificate a year ago, and subsequently went to apply for a British passport.

However, my passport application fell through because the name on the naturalisation certificate was in a different order to the name on my Malaysian passport. The certificate had this sequence, *surname*, *first name* *middle names*, while my Malaysian passport was in this sequence *first name*, *surname* *middle names*.

I then went back to the Home Office to try to get them to change it. The end result was they were unable to change it and told me to make a new application with the passport office and to explain the situation to them, and let them decide if they would issue me with a passport. I'd already lost the initial £70+ fee I paid for the passport application because it went past the 6 month mark (due to the Home office sending my correspondence to the old address and me only finding out after numerous phone calls asking for an update on my application), so I feel reluctant to go down that route, especially because it is not guaranteed that I will get a passport at the end of it.

When applying for naturalisation, I used the National Checking Service to make sure that I wouldn't have any errors or problems in my application. I expected the staff at the National Checking Service or my case handler to have picked up the discrepancy between the name on the certificate and my Malaysian passport, and notify me of it. A friend of mine experienced a very similar situation, and his case handler called him up to notify him about it.
I am considering filing a complaint to the Home Office using this as my argument to get them to change the sequence of my name on my naturalisation certificate.

My questions are:
1) Would I be able to get them to change it by filing a complaint?
2) If I went ahead with the passport application again, providing all my correspondences with the Home Office, is the passport office likely to issue me with a British passport?
3) Are there any other options that I can take to resolve this problem?

Thanks

Kelvin

[noajthan]

This is normal for a nc:

The certificate had this sequence, *surname*, *first name* *middle names*

Its up to you to specify the correct order on your application form (based on name in passport).

[kwool]

Thanks for getting back to me Noajthan.

I was not made aware of that as far as I can remember but it's been such a long time from the day I applied that I can't confidently say it wasn't my slip up.

What would you recommend to be my best course of action now?

Thanks

Kelvin

[MissBotastic]

Hi Kelvin,

I am currently in exactly the same situation as you. I understand it's been a few months now, but would you mind providing an update with your passport application? What steps did you end up taking?

Thanks for any info/guidance.

Sylvia

[sohousb123]

Hi guys, unfortunately i have the same issues like you guys at the moment, have u guys sorted and success to get ur passport yet!? please advices

[giramondo]

Hi Kelvin,

Answers to question 1 and 2 are really fro the HMPO to answer. Nothing we say can be taken as policy/rules or anything useful.

I can share my experience with trying to get my UK Passport to have First-Middle-Last name, instead of the previous First-Last name configuration.

1) I changed my name by deed poll - which is free and simple - https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll, this confirms to HMPO that I am 'changing' my name - rather than asking them to 'correct' a mistake.

2) When HMPO asked for me foreign passport - I genuinely replied that my passport has expired and I'm no longer in possession of a valid foreign passport - I had to correspond to the Taiwanese Representative Office to confirm that I cannot renew it (military conscription) - and with that the HMPO issued a new passport with First-Middle-Last name.

I know it's all bearucracy, but work out the rules and play the game.

All the best.

[aidalauyc]

Hi Kevin
I’m in very same situation where they got my surname and first name mixed up on naturalisation certificate! Only found out when I applied for my passport. Im also Malaysian passport holder. I have sent back the certificate to home office for correction and still waiting to hear from them two weeks down the line. I desperately need to get it back as has arranged travelling abroad in few weeks time.
May I know what happened to yours and Andy advice? I am not sure who to contact as no helpline available for it.

Kind regards
Aida

[Habibaanwar]

Hi Aida
Habe you applied for the change in name? Did u hear back from them ?
Im in a similar situation as you.