Several dual nationals (Austrian/British) have encountered problems when renewing their British passport as the name on the photo page does not match the name in their Austrian passport. Austrian passports usually only enter the first forename, rather than all forenames. UKVI rather unhelpfully suggests getting a new Austrian passport with the full name including middle names. This is not absolutely necessary, as it suffices to have an official remark inserted on the page facing the photo page. Austrian passports do not include middle names by default, particularly due to a character limit on the photo page (23 characters including spaces).
Rather than getting a new Austrian passport, you can instead request the following from your local district administrative office (Magistrat/Bezirksmannschaft). There might be a small processing fee for the official remark, but it is an instant process.
What to ask for:
This was the wording we used for one lady needing the official remark:
“In Zusammenhang mit dem Antrag zur Neuausstellung (Verlängerung) eines britischen Reisepasses, benötige ich einen Vermerk nach Paragraf 6a Absatz 2 Ziffer 1 der Passverordnung auf der der Fotoseite gegenüberstehenden Seite meines österreichischen Reisepasses, mit dem ich meinen vollen amtlich eingetragen Namen bestätigen kann, damit die britische Ausstellungsbehörde meinen Verlängerungsantrag für meinen Reisepass akzeptiert. Der Vermerk ist erforderlich um den Unterschied des im Reisepass eingetragen Namens (nur 1. Vorname) gegenüber dem im britischen Reisepass eingetragenen Namen (mit allen Vornamen) glaubhaft zu machen.”
Text to present to a case-handler about the need for an official remark.
What does the official remark say?
[NAME OF THE ISSUING OFFICE]
Der vollständige Vorname lautet:
[1ST FORENAME 2ND FORENAME …]amtlich eingetragan
[PLACE], am [DATE]
Text of the official remark made in an Austrian passport.
The remark may either be printed directly into the passport or printed on a tamper-proof sticker that is then affixed to the remarks page opposite the photo page of the Austrian passport.
Do I need to have a certified translation made?
It may suffice to submit the amended double page of the passport as a certified copy. For UKVI it may suffice for the person who certifies the copy to state that it is a true copy of the original passport. That person can be another British national (but not a relative!) or a member of various professions.
Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.
[SIGNATURE] [DATE]
[FULL NAME IN BLOCK CAPITALS], [DATE]
[OCCUPATION], [FULL ADDRESS], [TELEPHONE NUMBER]
Text for certifying a passport copy for the UK authorities.
We are currently seeking guidance about whether a certified translation of the photo page and facing remarks page is absolutely necessary. If you do need a certified translator, check out this page.
When renewing your Austrian passport…
Make sure you have the official remark added when they issue your new passport. There is no extra charge at the time of issue.
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