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???
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???