Hello. Happy new year to all. Just want to pick up your brains in regards of our situation. My son was adopted by my British husband and my son possessed British citizenship. Now we are having problem in renewing his UK passport because his surname has changed into my husband's surname legally. His UK passport has annotation stating that the passport holder has another name in his PHilippine passport. In order to renew his UK passport, I need to change my son's Philippine passport into his legal surname which means I have to undergo process of name change in the Philippine law. Is this correct? Anyone in similar situation? I desperately need advice please. I really appreciate all your help.
The Philippines embassy is correcthttps://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=tablet-android-samsung-rvo1&source=android-browser&q=do+i+have+to+change+my+name+in+a+filipino+passport+before+i+change+the+name+in+a+uk+psssport
From personal experience, it's a real challenge to change the surname in the Philippines. Was trying to do it for my son, but after years of dealing with lawyers and the courts, I have all but given up. I think I would have had better luck employing a reputable lawyer in Manila - it would have cost 5-10x, but would have been sorted out years ago. So that would be my recommendation if it really is that important to you/him.
Have had a similar issue although managed to renew the passport and have a new one with the same annotation. If you go with the guidance then need similar process as recognition of divorce except this is recognition of adoption. Unless have the time to stay in Philippines while going through the process then I have little faith in ability to get name changed. To renew I made a statement that had investigated options last time and was not able to find anyone knowledgeable to enact to process. I've refused to renew the Philippines passport as pointless when can't change name and detailed that as a reason. Looking back through old posts can see I responded to your original query on how to get first British passport. For renewal should be able to take robust line with HMPO and get the passport renewed as situation hasn't changed in terms of being able to get name changed. I have been through that fun recently and got replacement passport. Also noticed that I think from one of your previous posts that father isnt listed on the birth certificate which opens up one alternative option which is to get your husband to do an Affidavit of Admission of Paternity and get filed with registrar where your son was registered. After it works it's way to the PSA will have a birth certificate with a note on side and fact that legitised through marriage. At that point though be able to get a new passport with the same name as British passport. You should be able to do this although not legal but about the only realistic option if going to change name Don't supply the updated birth certificate to HMPO as they will start assuming it is true. Your sons claim to citizenship is through UK adoption not a fudged Philippines birth certificate. They should be content when supply the updated Philippines passport and can be forgotten about going forward.
This link section 5 will helphttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/names-aligning-names-on-foreign-documents/names-aligning-names-on-foreign-documents-accessible#name-alignment-adopted-children
Thank you very much to all your responses, a massive help indeed. I will read through the section 5 guidelines and check how will I start the process. Son is 19 now and he does not mind to have stamped annotations in his British passport. I agree that there is no point of name change as this does not affect any of his legal status in the UK and in the Philippines. A Filipino solicitor quoted £2500 total for the whole process from filing a petition of recognition of foreign adoption, publication and legal representation. Time frame is 6 to 12 months but I will be able to present a documentation to HMPO that it is being processed in the Philippines in order for me to renew his UK passport. However, we are thinking about it, financially wise and time wise.
Thank you very much for this advise. I will try to ask ex husband if he is willing to cooperate with the process. He declined to do it before as he stated that son was born year 2006 and we met 2013 and got married 2017. As you mention it was not technically legal but it saves a the hustle of dealing with Philippine legalities.
