First name mismatch on ILR and Passport and Life in UK Test

[achilles2]

Hello all,

I have an unusual problem, I hope you can help me.

I obtained ILR (Permanent Residency) as an EEA National 12 years ago and I now want to submit my Naturalisation Application.

The problem I have is that on the ILR letter from the Home Office (there was just a letter in those days) my first name is spelled differently than on my passport. This is because I have been using the anglicised version of my first name in all documentation and communications so that British people can pronounce it. To give you an example (not my real name):

First Name On Passport: Giorgio
Surname on Passport: Armani

First Name On ILR Letter: George
Surname on ILR Letter: Armani

When I applied for the ILR the first name I put on the application form was George and although on my passport it was Giorgio, the Home Office did not object and issued the ILR with first name as George. I also want the name George on the Naturalisation Application and my bank account and all other utility bills are also in the name George.

I can explained all that on the Naturalisation Application form and I hope the Home Office will understand.

The problem I have is with the Life in the UK Test. On their website it states that the "...the name you provide below must be an exact match to the name contained on the document ID you present at the test centre". Obviously, the first name on my passport is Giorgio so would they not allow me to take the test if I book the test as George? And since the ILR letter which I am planning to use as proof of address has the name as George would this create more problems? This is my dilema.

Could you please provide advice as to how I should deal with the Life in the UK Test as it is really stressing me out.

Thank you.

A

[achilles2]

Can anyone help me please, I need to book the Life in the UK Test and I don't know what to do.

[alterhase58]

I would register for LITUK using the name per your official document, i.e. passport - as you have to state this on the AN form.
My own ILR letter from the Home Office (many years before yours) only says "Dear Mr X", not full name and address, my residence card shows my full name but missing hyphenation, AN related letters show different name format, etc. etc. but Certificate came out perfect.
So stick with your official name and perhaps include a short explanation on page 22.

[achilles2]

I would register for LITUK using the name per your official document, i.e. passport - as you have to state this on the form.
My own ILR letter from the Home Office (many years before yours) only says "Dear Mr X", not full name and address, my residence card shows my full name but missing hyphenation, AN related letters show different name format, etc. etc. but Certificate came out perfect.
So stick with your official name and perhaps include a short explanation on page 22.

Thank you for your reply Alterhase58.

Yes, I can apply for the Life in the UK Test using my first name as in my Passport, so as far as proving my ID is concerned that would be fine. The problem is that all utility bills and the ILR letter that I can use for proof of address all have the anglecised version of my first name (George instead of Giorgio). Would the Test Manager prevent me from taking the test because my first name in the proof of ID and proof of address documents is not the same?

[alterhase58]

I would register for LITUK using the name per your official document, i.e. passport - as you have to state this on the form.
My own ILR letter from the Home Office (many years before yours) only says "Dear Mr X", not full name and address, my residence card shows my full name but missing hyphenation, AN related letters show different name format, etc. etc. but Certificate came out perfect.
So stick with your official name and perhaps include a short explanation on page 22.

Thank you for your reply Alterhase58.

Yes, I can apply for the Life in the UK Test using my first name as in my Passport, so as far as proving my ID is concerned that would be fine. The problem is that all utility bills and the ILR letter that I can use for proof of address all have the anglecised version of my first name (George instead of Giorgio). Would the Test Manager prevent me from taking the test because my first name in the proof of ID and proof of address documents is not the same?

Suggest you take a selection of utility bills, also some more official letters (HMRC, council tax, etc), your ILR, and of course passport. Again my own experience, none of my utility bills or HMRC letters show my full name format (hyphenated first names!) as per passport but it was accepted. "Belts & Braces" approach!

[achilles2]

I would register for LITUK using the name per your official document, i.e. passport - as you have to state this on the form.
My own ILR letter from the Home Office (many years before yours) only says "Dear Mr X", not full name and address, my residence card shows my full name but missing hyphenation, AN related letters show different name format, etc. etc. but Certificate came out perfect.
So stick with your official name and perhaps include a short explanation on page 22.

Thank you for your reply Alterhase58.

Yes, I can apply for the Life in the UK Test using my first name as in my Passport, so as far as proving my ID is concerned that would be fine. The problem is that all utility bills and the ILR letter that I can use for proof of address all have the anglecised version of my first name (George instead of Giorgio). Would the Test Manager prevent me from taking the test because my first name in the proof of ID and proof of address documents is not the same?

Suggest you take a selection of utility bills, also some more official letters (HMRC, council tax, etc), your ILR, and of course passport. Again my own experience, none of my utility bills or HMRC letters show my full name format (hyphenated first names!) as per passport but it was accepted. "Belts & Braces" approach!

Okay, thank you, I will do as you suggest and book the test using the name as in my Passport and bring lots of letters and utility bills on the date of the test so that they can take their pick. I hope this will work!

[achilles2]

I had not issues in the end, the Test Manager was very polite and accepted all my documentation. The test itself was dead easy.

A.

[alterhase58]

Glad it worked out well - my experience just the same.