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Official Change of Name & Citizenship

4K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Rugamuffin 
#1 ·
Hello, I am after some advice regarding Citizenship - although the lady from immigration suggested what I should do, I'd like to know what every one else's point of view on this.

I received my permanent residency few months before I got married, in my application I used my maiden name and my passport is also in my maiden name (which expired last year and I didn't bother renewing).

After getting married overseas, a year later I changed my names in my IDs, bank, ATO etc to my married name. However, I didn't apply an official change of name with BDM - I didn't realise I have to.

I applied for citizenship in October 2016, took the exam yesterday and I passed. Yey, great job! But!! They cannot make a decision on my citizenship because I have two identities/names. My passport is in my maiden name and the rest of my identifications are in my married name. Apparently, an overseas marriage certificate is not good enough as proof for change of name. I wondered why they didn't advise me of this when I applied? So now, the lady suggested I should change my name through BDM or they can also process my citizenship under my maiden name but they will need another ID. I do not have any ID under my maiden name anymore! Change of name takes 5-6 weeks standard and 3 weeks for priority.

I am just looking at the change of name application and it's pretty full on! I need to attach proof of my previous change of names (certificates etc). Well, I don't have certificates for my recent change of name to my married name as the associations just changed my name when I presented my marriage certificate.

So, what's the best thing for me to do???
 
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#2 ·
#3 ·
That is not their job and they are not qualified to give advice.
What I meant was, why did they accept the application if it was conflicting or not complete?

It is going to be a long process of changing my name from my country of origin and then applying for a passport.

If I go ahead with my maiden name instead of my married name, would there be an issue? And then if I am granted citizenship then I can change my name officially?

However, what other proofs of ID do i have? I only have an Optus bill under my maiden name and my passport and that's it.
 
#5 ·
Thank you so much for your reply. Very informative and helpful. I decided to proceed with the change of name to my married name as my sons birth certificates show my married name already.

OK, this is more of change of name related question. All of my current ID and bills are in my married name (which I have not registered with BDM). So in my application for change of name, it ask for CURRENT name and family. So do I put my married name (as per my current IDs) - as that is what I am currently using? And what proof can I use that I have changed it to my married name if I didn't really get any certificate? Marriage certificate from overseas maybe? And then add my maiden name in the list of previous names?

And yes, I am changing my name different to the 1195 form, my middle name is incorrect as I have limited option when changing my name with institutions. So I would like to correct that. Is there a number I can call for citizenship to confirm all these? Better to speak with them I guess before I proceed with the name change.
 
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