Hello, I hope to find an advise here as I'm not sure where else to ask. I would like to change my full name but don't know where to start. I'm just fed up of getting my first name on documents wrong and have it corrected again and again. I would change my surname to my husband's name too before citizenship. Is it a good idea to change my full name before applying for citizenship? Who should I contact first to change it and the next? Thank you so much in advance!
I assumed you are Filipina right? Changing name in the Philippines takes time and it’s not just difficult, it also cost as it has to go to a long process and have to be taken to court. Here in the UK, when you managed to pass all the process of Citizenship, you can then write the name you want to use upon applying for your first British passport. This is the easiest way to do it. If and when you decide to change it after receiving your first British passport, then you would need a DeedPoll. I hope this answer your question.
The big problem with name changes is that if don't manage to change in both Philippines passport and also British passport so both are the same then UK authorities will refuse to issue a passport if have passports with different names. Expect a challenge getting a British passport if have a Philippines passport with different name.
That is correct! You cannot have 2 Passport with different names. So I only have British passport for this reason.
Thank you! Yes, I'm a Filipina. So like yours, if I only have a British passport (no Philippine passport anymore) would it affect my rights to family inheritance in Philippines?
Seems really complicated. I might just do it years after citizenship then. Will just stick to changing my maiden to married name. Thanks!
If you are inheriting a land then NO! No foreigner can own a piece of land, but building like Condo you can’t own the land where it’s built, it has to be conjugal with Filipino spouse for the foreigner to own one. Anything else like money, cars, business etc. YES! So if you intend to have land properties in the Philippines you have to have dual citizenship.
When you get British citizenship then you officially lose Filipino citizenship. To get that back you have to go and take an oath of allegiance at the embassey. You need the oath to get a new passport but technically nothing to force you to get a new passport. The passport is not needed for citizenship although it is a proof of citizenship. Can still be a citizen of Philippines without a Philippines passport. Same as can be a British citizen but not have a British passport.
I cannot fully give up my Filipino citizenship esp. I need a Filipino passport. So I'll just wait til Philippine system is as better as in the UK then maybe I'll give it a try again. Thanks.
Changing to your married name is the easiest way as they only need your marriage certificate and it won’t cost you anything! You don’t need to go to the court like changing your whole name.