Name Change Help

[leedm]

Hi,

Next month, my TGF and I will be getting married in Thailand, and will then apply for a settlement visa straight away for her to come and live in the UK with me. As there won't be enough time for her to change her surname to mine between us getting married and applying for the Visa, I am seeking advice as to how we go about changing it after the Visa has been granted.

I imagine that the visa will be issued to her with her maiden name on it, so will that mean if she changes her name prior to flying to the UK, then this will cause problems ?

Secondly, if we don't change her name prior to her coming to the UK, what surname can she use when in the UK, for purposes of driving license, NI etc. I'd prefer her to use mine, but not sure if this is legal if we haven't officially changed it in some way.

Hope that makes sense

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Lee

[BigSnake]

ASAP!!

[the scouser]

Your wife is under no obligation to change her name to yours, but if she is to do so, I'd recommend doing it before she gets the visa. I believe that the Thais now issue a totslly new passport for a name change, so you don't want her to get the visa only to have to get a new passport almost immediately. There is nothing preventing your wife calling herself by your surname, even if her passport gives her maiden name, as your marriage certificate will show the link between the two.

Scouse.

[torrenova]

My Japanese ex wife kept her name all through our marriage. As Japanese people cannot change their surnames and UK people can, it was felt easier to do this. No problems with any government bodies, banks etc. as they understand.