Thought I would compile a list as I go through the applcation:
1. Spouse name change – The application says “If your partner has ever been known by any name or names apart from those mentioned above – please give details here”. There is a small box to fill in. My husband’s surname has changed twice (so he has been known under three surnames in his life.) His mother remarried as a baby; his stepfather adopted him and his surname was changed to his stepfather’s. Later, when he was an adult, my husband voluntarily changed his surname by deedpoll. This is the name that is on his passport and our marriage certificate. What do I put in the little box? There is barely room to fit both names in, if I write very small, without an explanation. The guidance asks you when you started to be known by these names, but he is no longer known by them. Do I give the dates he stopped being known by them as well? Should I just write his 2 previous names under “other names” and “See Page 13” and explain the situation on Page 13 – Information Not Included in Other Sections? Do I have to provide the supporting documents – adoption papers and deed poll?
2. Date of first arrival in the UK – I entered the UK on my fiance visa for the first time on 12 Feb 2005. However, I only stayed for a week to give notice of intention to marry, then returned to the US. I continued to live and work in the US until I left to live in the UK pemanently on 6 Apil 2005, arriving on 7 April. I know that technically I arrived as a resident for the first time in February. However, I told HMRC that I arrived on 7 April, which conveniently coincided with the beginning of the 2005-2006 tax year. So what do I put as my date of arrival? If I say February, does that mean that I can get in trouble for lying to HMRC? The guidance says “enter the date you first arrived with a vieew to staying in the UK on a long-term basis.” That isn’t clear. When I entered in February I knew that I was going to move over permanently, but I wasn’t staying on a long-term basis at the moment (I only stayed a week.)
3. Name change – another HMRC related question. My US passport and the stamps in it are under my maiden name. I am applying for citizenship under my maiden name. However, HMRC know me under my married name. As long as I show my NI number and put my married name in the box for other names, will it be easy enough for my tax records to be checked? Or do I need to mention somewhere that HMRC knows me under my married name? And related to question 1, what am I supposed to put in the “other names” box besides my married name itself? Do I just put my married name, and then write “married name” after it in parentheses, and the date I got married? Do I note that I still use this name currently, as I am known under both mariried and maiden names for different things?
4. Referee section – There is no difference between what the non-professional standing referee and the professional standing referee have to fill out. Where does the professional standing referee show that they have professional standing, other than by stating their occupation. My professional standing referee is a teacher. Will he be contacted and asked about his qualifications or does he need to supply further information with the application? I have no idea what his qualifiations are, knowing nothing about the teaching profession, but I am sure he has whatever he needs to teach his students.
