British citizenship and name change

[ffion]

I've just received EEA(PR) and I intend to apply for British citizenship. But I'm confused as to the implications of my name change.
A few years ago I changed my name via Deed Poll and I've been using only this name in the UK ever since. My EEA passport, ID card and identity are under my old name as it's almost impossible to officialy change the name in my home country.
When I applied for PR I had to do it under my old name and this is what I have on my PR.
Is there any option now to obtain British citizenship and British passport under my new name?

[CR001]

No, you will have to apply using your old name. HO won't issue or approve citizenship in a name that does not match your foreign passport.

[ffion]

That's what I suspected, thank you for confirming it.

What if I apply for BC now, get it under my old name and then somehow manage to change the name in my home country? I can't try to do it now as the case needs to be taken to court, it takes time plus I would have to fly there to initiate the procedure.
But if I'm successful - will it be complicated to change my BC certificate and passport after?

[etdshap]

I've just received EEA(PR) and I intend to apply for British citizenship. But I'm confused as to the implications of my name change.
A few years ago I changed my name via Deed Poll and I've been using only this name in the UK ever since. My EEA passport, ID card and identity are under my old name as it's almost impossible to officialy change the name in my home country.
When I applied for PR I had to do it under my old name and this is what I have on my PR.
Is there any option now to obtain British citizenship and British passport under my new name?

I am personally on the same boat as you. I have applied for Naturalisation in my current name. After contacting them via email, Home Office has confirmed me that once the application has been approved, the Naturalisation certificate will be issued in my current name.

When I contacted my country of origin's High Commission, they basically gave me a long list of documents that I need to submit to have the passport amended to show the current name; which are just impossible for me to obtain since I can't even speak the official language of the country properly and hardly any official speaks English. However, when I asked about renunciation of the nationality, they basically pointed out that according to the law I could just simply make a declaration to say that I am renoucing the nationality as long as I have another nationality.

I spoke to 2 HMPO caseworkers and they said that as long as I use my current name for ALL purposes and provide them with the proof they would have no objection to issue the British Passport in my current name which would appear on the naturalisation certificate. I would also need to send them a ceritified copy of the nationality renounciation declaration; since the original declaration would be kept by the High Commission.

I am not sure which country's passport you currently hold, but IF you're willing to renounce your current nationality and IF that's esay to do then that might be the best way to have your British passport in your current name without too much hassle!

[ffion]

I am personally on the same boat as you. I have applied for Naturalisation in my current name. After contacting them via email, Home Office has confirmed me that once the application has been approved, the Naturalisation certificate will be issued in my current name.

Does it mean that you will get the naturalisation certificate in your current name irrespectively of the renunciation of the other nationality? That would be very useful for me as I could apply for naturalisation now and then try to change my name in my home country, before applying for the British passport.

I wouldn't want to renounce my nationality, I'm quite attached to it and my EU passport might come very handy in the post-Brexit Europe. I think I will try the court route in my home country - and the British naturalisation certificate in my current name would definitely help to fight my case.

[etdshap]

I am personally on the same boat as you. I have applied for Naturalisation in my current name. After contacting them via email, Home Office has confirmed me that once the application has been approved, the Naturalisation certificate will be issued in my current name.

Does it mean that you will get the naturalisation certificate in your current name irrespectively of the renunciation of the other nationality? That would be very useful for me as I could apply for naturalisation now and then try to change my name in my home country, before applying for the British passport.

I wouldn't want to renounce my nationality, I'm quite attached to it and my EU passport might come very handy in the post-Brexit Europe. I think I will try the court route in my home country - and the British naturalisation certificate in my current name would definitely help to fight my case.

No. It means that Home Office would issue me the Naturalisation certificate in my current name on the basis that I would renounce my current citizenship. I obviously cannot get British passport until I have done so. You can send them a letter with your application explaining your situation. They do make decisions on this sort of thing on a case by case basis.

[ffion]

I see. There is no easy way around it
I will try to change my name in my home country on the basis of my using the new one for years. I should probably wait with naturalisation until I've done it but I worry they will significantly increase the fees again. If I do apply for naturalisation before making the change then I guess I will always be stuck with the naturalisation certificate in my old name as in the UK you cannot amend the original documents (unless I'm wrong?). In my country, when you do change the name, they change your birth certificate by issuing a new one so it's a complete change. And it's probably the reason why it's not as easy as the Deed Poll.