Hi,
I am not sure if this has been asked on the forum before,but really need some advice on this issue.
I had applied for my first British passport in September this year following my naturalization.
I recently informed via a letter to that my application has been out on hold as my previous passport (Indian citizenship) has my maiden name whereas I had applied for my British passport with my surname after marriage. I have used the maiden name for my naturalization and the certificate shows the same maiden surname that I use. However the passport caseworker has informed me that she cannot issue a British passport until I cancel my Indian passport or get my name changed in the Indian passport.
Unfortunately this has put me in a confusion as the Indian government will not cancel the passport until a passport of another nationality is produced (dual citizenship is not allowed in India) and they cannot change the name on the passport as this would require them to issue of a new passport which can only be provided to Indian citizens. Since I have acquired British citizenship, I can not be issued a new Indian passport.
The online passport application asked for my name and also any previous names such as maiden name, so I had filled the application with my married name as the name and previous name with maiden name as suggested in the application. I think this caused the confusion ( I really think they need to revisit how they have structured their application wordings).
I was under the impression that they would take the name on the Indian passport and the name on the naturalization certificate ( which is same - my maiden name) as the name for British passport (and it has always happened whenever I had applied for visa or visa extension, despite providing the marriage certificate)
Which is why I am surprised by why this query has been raised in the first place. If this was not allowed then why was this query not raised at the time of the naturalization application? I have also produced a valid marriage certificate, which I believe is a sufficient proof and evidence of my previous surname and my current surname.
The reason that was quoted to me was that the caseworker cannot issue a passport for an individual in two identities,.
I am so confused
as to how to resolve this now, please provide me with guidance.
Your prompt responses and advice for resolution of this issue will be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards