Single, Married or Divorced (Credit Card Application Form)

TheBlueCat

Conundrum - I don't know how much it matters in the big scheme of things, but I was wondering what to put on a credit card application for this question.
It shouldn't be more straight forward should it, i.e. "tell the truth" ... but unlike the X-Files, the truth isn't necessarily out there.

The options only include: 1. Single, 2. Married/Civil Partnership, 3. Separated, 4. Widowed, 5. Divorced/Dissolved Civil Partnership

For a start, people can be more than one option (e.g. separated, previously widowed, previously divorced ... technically now single).
If you think only the most recent option should apply, then are you inadvertently manipulating the information they 'really want' - do they also want to know if you've been previously divorced rather than are you currently single, so they can calculate your risk (i.e. you may have less financial security, as you need to pay your 6 ex-partners 10s of £1,000s a year in child support, etc.)?

Long story short (too late?!). I'm living with a partner (for 12 years) and have 3 children (1 from a previous relationship [divorced]).

• 'Divorced' seems less relevant, as it's not in any way current, only involves 1 of my 3 children who I look after full time, and there are no payments (to either parent). However, it may be the only one that is (technically) accurate, while indicating nothing of the last 12 years of double income, 2 extra children equally more desire to spend on my cards, ... whatever information it is they're actually trying to glean from this form (?)

• 'Married' appears, on the face of it to be the most accurate, but as marriage is a legal term, isn't strictly speaking correct.

• 'Single' makes no sense to me, given our circumstances, but is oddly the only correct option listed for my most current circumstances.

Does anyone know what they're actually trying to work out from asking this question, and what I should put when trying to represent my current situation as honestly as possible?

Thanks...

grumbler

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/living-together-marriage-and-civil-partnership/living-together-and-civil-partnership-legal-differences

I think it's neither Married nor  Civil Partnership in your case.

If so, the only applicable option is 'Divorced'.

born_again

It's the option for the status you are in now.

>> I'm living with a partner (for 12 years) and have 3 children (1 from a previous relationship [divorced]).<<

So that would be.

2. Married/Civil Partnership,

grumbler

born_again said:

>> I'm living with a partner (for 12 years) and have 3 children (1 from a previous relationship [divorced]).<<

So that would be.

2. Married/Civil Partnership,

Did you check the link I posted?

What is living together

Living together means living together as a couple without being married or in a civil partnership.

What is a civil partnership?

A civil partnership is a legal relationship which can be registered by two people who aren't related to each other.

...

Registering a civil partnership will give your relationship legal recognition. This will give you added legal rights, as well as responsibilities.

Once you have registered a civil partnership, it can only be ended if one of you dies, or by applying to court to bring the partnership legally to an end.

Brie

born_again said:

It's the option for the status you are in now.

>> I'm living with a partner (for 12 years) and have 3 children (1 from a previous relationship [divorced]).<<

So that would be.

2. Married/Civil Partnership,

Don't agree with this.  And while Divorced doesn't seem relevant now it's the closest to correct option.  There should be an additional option of "living with partner" but I suspect that is such a vague thing as it could mean just moved in with my latest squeeze to 30 years with my lover and best friend.  And I suspect that banks algorithyms couldn't cope with that.

born_again

Well perhaps Op is best to ring company & see that they say 👍

@grumbler That is CA take, not the CC co.

grumbler

born_again said:

Well perhaps Op is best to ring company & see that they say 👍

@grumbler That is CA take, not the CC co.

That's the law -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_partnership_in_the_United_Kingdom#Law_and_procedure

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/section/2

Maskface

If you're divorced but not currently in a relationship does that make you single again or are you forever tainted with the 'D' word?

grumbler

I think it's the latter, but I don't find it 'tainted"

MovingForwards

I'm divorced, engaged, co-hab, unless there's an option for the latter I always state divorced. 

I definitely wouldn't class anyone as 'tainted' due to being divorced, relationships don't work out whether they were married, living together or partners.

Maskface

grumbler said:

I think it's the latter, but I don't find it 'tainted"

Well perhaps it's subjective but to some it's always a reminder of a failed relationship. Keeping in mind there are some cultures it's still taboo. My thinking would be that you're single if you divorced but aren't currently in a relationship. Not that I'm looking for a debate on the point of course.