Australia - British Expat Forum

Hi,

We are starting our application GSM 175 and are trying to get all the papers in order. I have read several threads about similar issues with surnames on papers, but as they are so unique I want to confirm my situation if anyone can help.

My wife has an Italian passport, so on the photo page her surname is still her maiden name, it is only a few pages back where they write an italian word then her married name. I know that for the application we must use the name on the photo page, however, all her documents in the UK use her married name, so the two will not match up. To confuse things more, she changed her name by deed poll as we got married in Greece, so that doesn't legally change her surname through marriage. (Translating the marriage certificate is another issue - I'm still convinced I bought a time share instead of getting married!).

Is it ok to just send all the documents and assume they will work it out or is there something specific I need to do.

thanks,

Swins.

Hi Swins and welcome,

Well you can tackle the problem two ways: consult an agent/lawyer, who'll thrash all this out for you, or try explaining it all as clearly as possible on the application forms. It won't be the first time that this has happened.

Good luck,
SSue 8)