For the sake of privacy let's say my American fiance's name is John Smith and I'm a British citizen called Jane Cunningham.
We're getting married end of this year and having a double barreled name. Thought this was a straightforward case of showing marriage certificate and telling relevant organizations in the UK/USA our new surname is Cunningham Smith.
Turns out a woman can take a man's name but not the other way without running into road blocks. It makes it even more difficult when you both adopt each others surname as double barreled.
Obviously after marrying, my American fiance will have to update his passport so can we apply for spouse visa/biometric card with the new name/immigration status change etc. Will the US embassy/passport office or even just any US governmental organisation accept our marriage certificate and the fact he has adopted his wife's surname with his own?
OR will he have to go down the deed poll route?
I.e He changes surname to Cunningham Smith BEFORE we marry (saves me applying for a second deed poll)
Only reason I ask is that at least in the UK, Deed Poll states " Please note, government departments, including the Passport Office and DVLA accept marriage certificates as documentary evidence of a man changing his surname to a double-barrelled surname or for a man taking his wife's surname."
Now, if only the US could confirm this too! I'm not too happy about spending almost £2 a minute to ring the US embassy just to be put on hold before I find out so I'm hoping someone on this lovely board may be able to help?
Would anyone also be able to confirm if we'll have to apply for notice of marriage AGAIN to reflect this new/additional surname? Or do we just need to inform the priest/minister conducting the wedding?
Thank you!