Thank you very much Arthur Little for the reply.Just love my maiden's name so much that I dont want to drop it..I was planning to apply without the NCS assistance but if it will make it easier then I give it a second thought...

.....and yes,time really passed so fast and so thankful that there's a lot of people like you in this forum who's always here to help...and again, thank you very much.


Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Little View Post
Hello, again ... hard to believe a whole year has elapsed since you applied for ILR. How time flies!

You needn't worry about applying for Naturalisation using your maiden surname ... as MY wife did the same, back in March.

Here's the procedure:

Go to the Section of the UK Border Agency website entitled:

'How do I apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen?'

Click on the sub-heading, 'Completing the *Form' ... download *it - along with the appropriate Guide & Booklet - printing off spare copies (to allow for any possible error(s) on completion) all the time carefully following the instructions provided.

That's IT basically ... but, anything you're not clear about, please don't hesitate to ask.

Once you are satisfied you've completed the form [by hand] signed it and gathered all the necessary documents, I would strongly recommend you find out the precise location of your nearest Local Authority-operated 'National Checking Service [NCS]' WHO, for a "small" additional fee of around £65 to £70, will arrange a convenient appointment for you to visit their offices to have the relevant paperwork checked over and photocopied (including your Philippines' Passport). THEY, the NCS, will THEN be responsible for submitting the copies to the UKBA ... returning the originals (as well as your passport) to you.

This way, you can be confident ALL is in order, as regards your application.

Having been married to a Filipina for close on 4 years, I'm aware many ladies like to retain their maiden name as a middle name ... followed by their marital surname. That's fine; just tell the receptionist you speak to - when arranging your appointment - of your desire to do so ... and mention it again on your arrival there. This way, your Certificate of Naturalisation will be made out in accordance with your wishes. And, when the time comes for you to apply for a British Passport, the name on it will, in turn, comply with the one appearing on the Certificate - thus simplifying matters in the long run.

Waiting times are difficult to predict, I have to say; but, using the NCS, cuts out a lot of routine checking by the UKBA and should, if anything, expedite the entire process.