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Certificate of Individuality - British Consulate

Question

I've been asked by Etterbeek commune to provide a certificat d'individualité, which I've also seen referred to as an attestation d'individualité or acte d'individualité. The first name used on my passport and all other official documentation is a diminutive of the name used on my birth certificate - for example Jim vs. James. For the purpose of a nationality application, the commune has asked me to obtain the above certificate from the British Consulate. The commune were very confident that the consulate would immediately recognise the request as Etterbeek regularly asked people for this paperwork (i.e. "show them the explanation on this Post-It and they'll know immediately"...) However when I asked at the consulate front desk they were far less sure that they provided this service.

I have an appointment with the consulate so will find out later this week but wondered in the meantime if anyone else had obtained such a document?

In the meantime I wrote a statement myself in English and French which the consulate could in theory certify, but this is more of a backup.
Thanks!

becasse

How did you convince the UK passport service (or whatever it happened to be called at the time you first obtained a passport) to issue you with a passport with a name different to the one shown on your birth certificate?

Apr 25, 2017 23:16
Rachxpat

I think you need to talk to the passport authority, in similar circumstances I was asked to go to the Consulate, however they can not attest identity. When applying for Belgian nationality in Tervuren, I was asked to prove that the person on my birth certificate (maiden name) is the same person in my passport (married name). The consulate suggested the passport office and they said they could provide an attest (for a fee) if I had had a passport in both names. This sent me searching for my original amended passport clearly showing both my family names. Having found it, this was accepted at the commune without the need for me to pay the passport authority anything. Would you happen to have an expired passport with your full name? Otherwise I think you have to pay the passport authority for the attest. Tervuren would not have required this to be translated - hopefully the same for you to keep the costs down.....

Apr 26, 2017 08:17
kasseistamper

If you are known as Jim whilst your birth name is James, your passport should reflect that as 'James known as Jim'.
This is the case when, for example, professional entertainers use a name other than their birth name but have not changed their name by deed poll.
If is not the case in your situation then the fault is with the Passport Office and they should correct their mistake.

Apr 26, 2017 09:06
JT2015

Hi, Thanks very much for the answers. Some explanation:

Becasse - When applying for a UK passport, the first name requests the first name shown on your birth certificate AND asks if you are known by/prefer another name. As my name is a derivative of the name on my birth certificate, this has always been accepted on my teen and adult passports. Other examples could be Michael and Mike, Timothy and Tim, Katherine and Kate for example. These are all recognised diminutives in the English language so fully acceptable (in the UK). The commune has no reference point that these names are related though, hence their request.

Rachxpat - good suggestion - I'll have to see if I have any old passports from childhood.

Kassiestamper - I agree - that would be ideal. I believe the passport issuing guidelines concerning use of preferred name may have changed more recently and as each passport renewal uses the previous one as a base this appears not to have cropped up for me. Also, just guessing, but it's possible that the passport office is less stringent where names directly derived from the original are concerned.

To be honest, first time in 40 years, 20 outside the UK, that I've had a problem with my names so never considered addressing this until the commune asked - incidentally the commune has also previously seen all of my paperwork for other purposes and never questioned.

I just realised that my marriage certificate makes reference to both names so if I draw a blank at the consulate or need to contact the passport office instead, maybe the commune would accept this.

Apr 26, 2017 11:58
becasse

If the commune will accept the marriage certificate (and presumably they accept them for the change of surname for a wife), then you may need to get a new copy and get a translation done. Since you are applying for nationality (aren't we all), letting the commune have an official translated copy of your marriage certificate might just be useful in the future anyway.

Apr 26, 2017 13:16
Rachxpat

@BECASSE just for info - the Tervuren gemeente would not accept my marriage certificate showing the two names.

May 10, 2017 08:22
aneeshks

Hello all,

How did it turn out finally ?

I am asked the same certificate by Evere commune for nationality application. I see that Indian Embassy has a service called 'one and the same certificate' for this purpose. But the commune asks for legalization from them ministry of external affairs (MEA). Has someone did this and have suggestions ?

Thanks in advance !

Aneesh

Dec 8, 2018 19:32
aneeshks

Update:

I got the certificate from Embassy of India. I found that Exterior Affairs ministry of Belgium can legalize documents issues by other countries consular officers located in Belgium. Basically they validate the signature of the consular officer (they have it in the system already). I went to the office of the Legalisation Service (Karmelietenstraat / Rue des Petits Carmes 27, 1000 Brussels, from 9 a.m. till noon). It took only 2 mins for the legalization sticker and 20 Euros fee. After legalization, I got it translated by a sworn translator and legalized in the courthouse (legalize the translation). Commune accepted this document.

Jan 9, 2019 14:06
glen.fern

Hi Aneesh,

Did the "One and Same Person Certificate" Work? And did the legalization by the exterior affairs of Belgium get accepted. I have the same situation. Would appreciate you advice

Regards
Glen

Dec 16, 2019 11:13