Our Path to Marriage

This is so good to know!  So glad to hear people have done this in person and it wasn't terribly complicated

Get extra original copies of your marriage certificate if you plan to go in person while the visa is processing. You need that as proof of the reason for a name change. Just wanted to include that as an FYI. If you go in before you submit the application then you only need one.


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As you'll be living abroad, you have until June 15th to file your taxes.  And you can apply for an extension to October 15th so no time pressure on the tax front.

It doesn't matter what name is on your payslips.  People change their name all the time. 

Get extra original copies of your marriage certificate if you plan to go in person while the visa is processing. You need that as proof of the reason for a name change. Just wanted to include that as an FYI. If you go in before you submit the application then you only need one.


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That is such great advice. We made sure to get a few copies and two for me and one for him to take back to northern ireland.

As you'll be living abroad, you have until June 15th to file your taxes.  And you can apply for an extension to October 15th so no time pressure on the tax front.

It doesn't matter what name is on your payslips.  People change their name all the time. 

Thank you! That is really good to know!

Also, just for an update on my passport I received my book back a week and two days after I sent it with the expedited service. Still have not received my supporting documents yet but hopefully they will arrive soon. And if anyone has a name that is too long to fit into the space provided on the form, everything worked as far as my middle name being too long to fit in the boxes. I ended up attaching an additional page and listing the question number as well as my answers and that all worked out well.

I am about to start working on the spouse visa today and will probably be asking questions as they come up these next couple of days. Thanks again everyone for all your help!

Ok I have just found this link ( https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome) to the online application for the spouse visa however there is a message on the website that says: "This is the new UK visa application website. We are testing it. It is designed to make the application process simpler and clearer."

Has anyone used this site? I'm a little nervous to use a site that is being tested. Is there a different site I should use?

So I have logged into the UK Visas and Immigration Website. Because I previously applied for a religious worker visa all my old information is still there which is great.

However, the site is still under my maiden name. Do I need to change this on the website before continuing to apply for my spouse visa? If so, does anyone know how?

Ok I have just found this link ( https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome) to the online application for the spouse visa however there is a message on the website that says: "This is the new UK visa application website. We are testing it. It is designed to make the application process simpler and clearer."

Has anyone used this site? I'm a little nervous to use a site that is being tested. Is there a different site I should use?

No, it’s the only site, so you don’t have a choice.

Also, I’m pretty sure that Beta message has been there for years - the site looks exactly the same right now as every other time I’ve loaded it.


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So I have logged into the UK Visas and Immigration Website. Because I previously applied for a religious worker visa all my old information is still there which is great.

However, the site is still under my maiden name. Do I need to change this on the website before continuing to apply for my spouse visa? If so, does anyone know how?

You must apply in the name on your passport - so if you have changed your name on your passport, you can’t apply under your maiden name.

If you can, you’ll need to change your name on your account, but if it won’t let you, you may need to register a new account with a different email address.


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No, it’s the only site, so you don’t have a choice.

Also, I’m pretty sure that Beta message has been there for years - the site looks exactly the same right now as every other time I’ve loaded it.

Thank you so much for responding! Ok that is good to know.

You must apply in the name on your passport - so if you have changed your name on your passport, you can’t apply under your maiden name.

If you can, you’ll need to change your name on your account, but if it won’t let you, you may need to register a new account with a different email address.

Ok I will try and change it now. If I can't change it on the website and if I go ahead and apply through a different email is that ok that my reference number for the visa will not be the same as on my previous visas? Should I try to call them to have them change my name on the website?

Thank you so much for responding! Ok that is good to know.

Ok I will try and change it now. If I can't change it on the website and if I go ahead and apply through a different email is that ok that my reference number for the visa will not be the same as on my previous visas? Should I try to call them to have them change my name on the website?

I just went on and was able to change my name on the website fairly easy. YAY!

I am beginning the online application process of applying for a spouse visa to the UK. I have just seen on the UK Visas & Immigration website that I will need to provide my National Insurance Number (NIN). However, I am pretty sure that my NIN is still registered under my maiden name. Do I need to change it to my married name before I apply for my spouse visa? If so, does anyone know how to do this? I don't know how to go about this especially since I am currently living in the US.

On the website before you can begin your online application it asks three questions:

Reason for Visit:
Visa Type:
Visa Subtype:

I am unsure what to select. So far I have selected from the dropdown menu

Reason for Visit: Settlement
Visa Type: Settlement
Visa Subtype: Wife

Is this correct? There is also an option for Marriage in the visa subtype. The website doesn't have any instructional information on it.

Thank you so much for responding! Ok that is good to know.

Ok I will try and change it now. If I can't change it on the website and if I go ahead and apply through a different email is that ok that my reference number for the visa will not be the same as on my previous visas? Should I try to call them to have them change my name on the website?

You’re not supposed to have the same reference number. Each visa application is completely separate from all the others, and so this application is unrelated to your other visa.

I’ve always just assumed that people applying for another visa just started again with a new account.

I am beginning the online application process of applying for a spouse visa to the UK. I have just seen on the UK Visas & Immigration website that I will need to provide my National Insurance Number (NIN). However, I am pretty sure that my NIN is still registered under my maiden name. Do I need to change it to my married name before I apply for my spouse visa? If so, does anyone know how to do this? I don't know how to go about this especially since I am currently living in the US.

No, I don’t think you need to do anything. I’d just enter your NI number and be done with it.

On the website before you can begin your online application it asks three questions:

Reason for Visit:
Visa Type:
Visa Subtype:

I am unsure what to select. So far I have selected from the dropdown menu

Reason for Visit: Settlement
Visa Type: Settlement
Visa Subtype: Wife

Is this correct? There is also an option for Marriage in the visa subtype. The website doesn't have any instructional information on it.

Settlement -> Settlement -> Wife is correct (assuming you are a wife and not a husband ).

The Marriage option is for a fiancé visa - if you are already married you do NOT want to select that one.



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You’re not supposed to have the same reference number. Each visa application is completely separate from all the others, and so this application is unrelated to your other visa.

I’ve always just assumed that people applying for another visa just started again with a new account.

No, I don’t think you need to do anything. I’d just enter your NI number and be done with it.

Settlement -> Settlement -> Wife is correct (assuming you are a wife and not a husband ).

The Marriage option is for a fiancé visa - if you are already married you do NOT want to select that one.

Thank you, ksand24. I really appreciate your help. I think I will keep going with the same account since I was able to change my name on the account. I am assuming they will give me a new reference number when I begin on this new visa. Thanks for your advice on the NIN, and the confirmation on the correct visa category.

Alright so I'm getting started on the online application and I have two quick questions.

1. One question asks for "Place of Issue." However, my passport does not list a place of issue. It has a date of issue but not the place. Should I just put United States?

2. It asks for the "Issuing Authority" which is the United States Department of State. But I cannot fit that into the box given. Is there an accepted abbreviation that anyone knows of for visa applications?

Thank you!

Alright so I'm getting started on the online application and I have two quick questions.

1. One question asks for "Place of Issue." However, my passport does not list a place of issue. It has a date of issue but not the place. Should I just put United States?

2. It asks for the "Issuing Authority" which is the United States Department of State. But I cannot fit that into the box given. Is there an accepted abbreviation that anyone knows of for visa applications?

Thank you!

You put United States or USA for both.


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