Name change on passport?

[Rayjen]

Hi all, my wife & I were married last week & will now apply for a spouse visa. Does my wife need to change the name on her passport from her maiden name to her married name before applying for visa & hopefully flying to the uk?At present she is waiting to get the marriage cert from the nso, she has completed the English test around 6 weeks ago & still awaiting cert & will do the CFO seminar. I'm not sure if she needs to change her passport & there seems to be a problem at the dfa passport office Cebu & she's been told she will have to go through Manila & it could take 30 days.

[johncar54]

My wife came to Spain with her passport in her maiden name.

A couple of years after, when it was convenient, we got the RP consul in Madrid to make a manuscript amendment in the PP, and last December, when the PP needed renewing, my wife changed the name to her married name.

However, under UK law there is no requirement to change ones name on marriage, so a wife can continue using her maiden name for ever, on every bit of paperwork, if she wishes.

I have said several times before, one can change their name in UK simple by doing so (Common Law). No need for any legal paperwork. I did it about 25 years ago.

[keithAngel]

No need as John says she can change it when its renewed the delay in cebu is a nuisance fortunatly we can still wait it will also take 4-6 weeks for the NSO wedding certificate unless you fast track it then 10-15 working days

My missus goes to the cfo on tuesday

John you changed your name? Benidorm days where such fun Biggsy

[Rayjen]

Thanks john & Keith! That's a relief, we want to get our visa application in asap. My wife needs to travel to Cebu to take the CFO seminar as the island she's from dumaguete doesn't have it? I'm also getting a bit worried about the length of time it's taking to receive the result of the English test.

[johncar54]

Incidentally, as I've said before, at the CFO interview, the people asking the questions re family, etc have no idea what the answers are, so, if your wife finds anything difficult to answer, just make it up.

[Arthur Little]

Hi all, my wife & I were married last week & will now apply for a spouse visa. Does my wife need to change the name on her passport from her maiden name to her married name before applying for visa & hopefully flying to the uk?At present she is waiting to get the marriage cert from the nso, she has completed the English test around 6 weeks ago & still awaiting cert & will do the CFO seminar. I'm not sure if she needs to change her passport & there seems to be a problem at the dfa passport office Cebu & she's been told she will have to go through Manila & it could take 30 days.

No need for your wife to change her passport into her married name for the sake of applying for the visa ... provided there's still more than 6 months' validity left on it. My wife's isn't due for renewal until September 2013 - and she was recently granted her Residence Permit [ILR] - although she'd like/may even require to have it amended before applying for British Citizenship.

[Rayjen]

Thanks Arthur! Yes I've relayed the news to my wife & she's very excited. This long process looks like finally coming to an end. We asked for the nso to fast track the marriage cert so hopefully will receive it next week. Then all we will be waiting on is the English test result ( which she took 6 weeks ago!) & CFO seminar.

[keithAngel]

The seminar she can take when ever you like she wont get the sticker till theres a visa in the passport though its an early start 7am in cebu so she will have to spend one night at least in the city

It doesnt really work here to be to goal impatient just one step at a time and adapt as you go

[johncar54]

The CFO in Katipunan, The Good Shepherd Convent, did not have a booking system, maybe they have changed it, thus the first 12, I think it was, to arrive got on the seminar for that day. As some countries only had seminars only once a week, or even less, that could be a real problem.

PS I think it has changed, maybe as a result of my high level complaint in March 2006.

QUOTE:_ The Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) announces that effective 1 June 2007, attendance to the CFO Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and Peer Counseling in Manila will be done by appointment. Clients may reserve a schedule through telephone numbers (63-2) 563-1965 and (63-2) 561-8321 local 103, or through website www.cfo.gov.ph.