Dual Citizenship for Daughter

[Snag 57]

Hi folks,

We are getting things prepared for my USC daughter's dual citizenship (USC + Australia). The uncertainties we've faced is that I have not registered my "change of name" with Australia (with the RBDM NSW). My passport is still in my maiden name. So, effectively, I'm known as Snag Smith in Australia, but Snag Jones in the US. Will this complicate the process of obtaining her Australian citizenship? Should I go ahead and try to register my married name in Australia, then change my passport beforehand? Many thanks in advance.

[Sukie 1,440]

Hi folks,

We are getting things prepared for my USC daughter's dual citizenship (USC + Australia). The uncertainties we've faced is that I have not registered my "change of name" with Australia (with the RBDM NSW). My passport is still in my maiden name. So, effectively, I'm known as Snag Smith in Australia, but Snag Jones in the US. Will this complicate the process of obtaining her Australian citizenship? Should I go ahead and try to register my married name in Australia, then change my passport beforehand? Many thanks in advance.

Check with your local Transport Department before you do anything. My spouse got all fouled up with a name change. We changed her name with the Queensland Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and then got her new passport in her married name. She then went to the Department of Transport to change the name on her Driver's License, but no longer had her old passport with her old name to prove what her OLD name was. It was a real hassle.

Our case was a little complicated because we are a same-gender couple, and our US marriage is not recognized by Australia, so we couldn't use our US Marriage License to prove the name change.

Ask the Transport Department in what order you should do the change. But I'm guessing you'll have to register your marriage with the RBDM first.

I don't think your name change (i.e. - not changing it) will be an issue with your child's paperwork. Many women don't change their names when they marry. But if you do decide to go ahead....be careful in which order you do the changes!

Good luck!!!!

Sukie in QLD

[lirpa11 16]

I am a USC and obtained my Aussie citizenship at the end of 2014. When I went for it, all my Australian documents were in my new married name, although my US documents were in my maiden name. As we were married in Australia I just brought our marriage certificate to show that my name was now my married name and I never had any issues.

I then updated my US passport with my married name 5 months later when I returned the the U.S.

As long as you have all the documents showing your maiden and married name and the documents are recognised and valid in both countries I don't think there would be any issues.