Comments for Can I use more than one middle name on my passport? Click here to add your own comments

Long last name by: Anonymous Question: I have a long last name due to marriage. Is this name too long to fit on the passport. Example Sarahann K Jackson-Smiths Do they count the spaces and hyphenations in the 24 character count? Answer: Yes, spaces and other characters are counted.

Changing my name by dropping one middle name - will it affect my Naturalization Certificate? by: Anonymous Question: I need to drop one middle name from my (first country) passport so that it will match my name in my (second country) passport, which only shows my first name and first middle name. I have been asked to swear an affidavit or make a statutory declaration that my first two names are my legal names from now on, and the third forename is no longer used. My birth certificate and Naturalization certificates show all three forenames. Will I have to alter the two documents? Thanks. Answer: Yes, it is in your best interest to make changes on all your important identification documents.

Fathers name on birth certificate by: Anonymous Question: My husband has two middle names but on our daughter's birth certificate only one is listed. Is this going to be a problem when we apply for her passport? Answer: It's not going to be an issue.

2 middle names by: Anonymous Question: I'm getting a new passport. My birth certificate & social security card have both middle names. My state driver's license has one middle name. What name do I put on the application? Answer: It is best that you use the name that appears in your license since that is your primary ID.

Two middle names by: Anonymous Question: I have 2 middle names on my birth certificate, however, I only use 1 middle name on my driver's license and social security. Will I be allowed to get my passport with only 1 middle name? ( the same as my driver's license and social security)? Answer: The passport will likely be issued in the name you enter in the application form (1 middle name) since your primary ID (driver's license) has that name as well.

3 Middle Names in birth certificate but only one on the statement of consent form by: Anonymous Question: Hi, My daughter has one first name and 3 middle names, and one last name on her birth certificate. I want to apply for her passport. 1) If I choose to only include one of the middle names now, will that affect her negatively in any way? 2)If I later choose to add the remaining 2 middle names in the future, how will I go about it? 3) My daughter's father who lives outside the US provided a statement of consent that was notarized, but only her first name and 1 middle name, and last name are on the form. If I decide to use all 3 middle names which show on her birth certificate on her DS-11 form, will that be acceptable? 4) The 3 middle names are 19 characters altogether, will that fit into the passport if I choose to add the 3 names? Or will they have to abbreviate the 3 middle names? 5) If the 3rd middle name is abbreviated, is that how I will show it in her documents going forward, and when I book a flight ticket, will I have to show it abbreviated as well? Thank you. Answer: 1. Whether or not it will have some negative repercussions will depend on the situation. In most cases, the name on the birth certificate will match that on the passport since your child will be unable to provide additional identification documents. 2. You will have to apply for a new passport and do the same process over again. 3. As long as other details match, it MAY not be an issue. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for clarification regarding this. 4. The decision will be made by the passport agent who processes the application. Generally, the entire name is printed on the passport. If it needs to be abbreviated, it will be. 5. Tickets must match the name on the passport so yes, you will have to abbreviate if need be. The name on the passport will have to be followed until you can apply for a new one and elect a different name if you so desire.

Legal Name by: Anonymous Question: My daughter's name on her current passport shows her first name and two middle names on the same line. Her passport needs to be renewed. Since her two middle names are longer than the spaces on the passport application for the middle name, can she: 1. Put her first name and first middle name in the section for "first name" 2. Put her second middle name in the section for "middle name"? Answer: Yes, she can do that.

Item #9 prior name too long by: Anonymous Question: I legally changed my middle and last name when I got married. I got a new passport at that time under my married name. I am now renewing my passport and there is not enough room under Item #9 to fit my maiden name (prior middle and prior last name) in part A, can I add my surname to part B or should I add an attachment with my maiden name? Answer: You should write the name on a separate piece of paper, label it properly, and attach it to the application.

DS11 - item #9 Middle Name by: Anonymous Question: What if I want to put my full middle name back? Right now it’s just abbreviated. How should I fill out item #9 on the DS11 form? Or it this used only if one has LEGALLY changed their name (court, marriage etc)? Answer: The space is for other names you have used in the past.

MR by: MAYANJA FAROUQ Question: I have 2 names in my Uganda passport I use for traveling but my National identity has 3 names and information is included in my passport. Can I use 3 names when participating in Green card lottery of America? Answer: Please contact the USCIS regarding your question.

Middle Name over the required amount of characters on passport application by: Anonymous Question: Hi, I recently got married and now, legally via my marriage license, I have 2 middle names: First Name, Middle Name Maiden Name, Last Name. When I fill out my passport application, my new, legal middle name consists of 18 characters (including spaces) which are over the required amount of spaces on the passport application form. So I have a few questions: 1. Can I still submit my passport application with my new, legal, middle name if it is over the required amount of characters? Or 2. Do I need to omit 1 of the 2 middle names to make it fit in the application? If I do this, will it affect traveling in the future, since my current driver’s license has my full, new, legal name with all the correct characters and spaces? Answer: Option 2 will be better. You will not have issues traveling as long as your tickets are booked in the name that appears in your passport.

Two First Names by: Anonymous Question: Hello. I want to inquire if I can write two first names in the passport application and how will it appear on the passport. For example Full Name: Maxine Martin Watson First Name: Maxine Martin Last Name: Watson Will it be shown the same way? Answer: Yes.

Adding a middle name by: Anonymous Question: We are now receiving US passports. Can I add a middle name to my child's name although her foreign birth certificate and passport do not have it? Answer: It is best that you go though a legal name change so your child does not run into issues in the future.

Middle initial format by: Anonymous Question: Does it matter if there is a period after the middle initial or a period is not necessarily needed? Do passports put/allow periods? Example of the full name: John Eric Scott The name on the passport is John E Scott? Answer: The period is not required.

Can a Single Letter be a middle name? by: Anonymous Question: I would like to have the initial of my wife to be the middle name of my child. Is this possible to register for a birth certificate and apply for a passport? Answer: Yes, it is possible.

2 middle names on birth certificate by: Anonymous Question: Do I need to identify the second middle name in "other names"? I have never used it but it is on my birth certificate. Answer: Yes, please list said name in the other names used section.

middle name by: hello Question: Can I use three middle names on my passport? Answer: As long as you have sufficient identification to support the said names, then yes, you may have three middle names on your passport. Ultimately, the name to be printed on your passport will be decided by the processing agent.

Middle name by: Anonymous Question: My passport only shows my middle initial. It was recently issued on 7/2020. I want my middle name initial spelled out, which passport form to use? Answer: Since this is not a name change per se, you cannot use Form DS-5504. I would suggest that you contact passport services at 1-877-487-2778 for direction.

Including a 2nd middle name from my birth certificate by: Anonymous Question: On my birth certificate I have two middle names. However on my current (but expired) passport only one of these two names is listed. Can I add in the second middle name because it's already on my birth certificate? Will I need to provide proof of name change even though Technically no aspects of my name or changing? Answer: The most uncomplicated way to add your middle name is to submit a new passport application.

Legal Hyphenated Middle Initials... by: Mr. Helms Question: Hello, Our son just turned 18 and my wife and I are helping him obtain his state ID/DL, Social Security Card and US Passport. When filling out all the required US Gov and State documents, what is considered the legal middle initial if the middle name is hyphenated? For example; Kevin Robert-Johnathon Helms (exactly on his birth certificate) Would it be? 1. Kevin R Helms 2. Kevin R-J Helms 3. Kevin RJ Helms 4. Kevin R.J. Helms 5. Kevin R.J Helms The middle name Robert-Johnathon has no spaces between the t and J. Thank You for your time at clarifying this on going nightmare we never realized until now. Answer: Yours is indeed a unique situation. The hyphenated initials matching the hyphenated middle names should make sense but we're not name experts. I recommend calling the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to clarify.

Hyphenated last names by: Anonymous Question: Can I hyphenate my last names on passport? Example Tom John-Doe. Answer: As long as you can provide sufficient identification documents to support the hyphenated name, there should be no issue putting it on your passport.

Help with middle names by: Anonymous Question: My child has two middle names, one is 7 letters the other is 9 letter. Can they both be included in the passport alongside the surname and first name? Answer: The application has only spaces for 21 characters for the last name, 17 for the first name, and 16 for the middle name. The application, which generates a file you must print, accepts 35 characters for each of first name, middle name and last name. The surname should not be truncated on the passport, but the middle or first names might be if they are too long. The names may also be truncated in the machine-readable data lines at the bottom of the information page. This doesn't affect passport validity.

Dropping Middle Name by: Anonymous Question: I am renewing my passport with a last name change due to marriage. However, my current passport does include my middle name. When renewing can I just put my first and new last name on the passport application? Will they deny it? Answer: You can enter your first name and new last name. The application should go through since you have proof of legal name change. Please submit the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Are middle names necessary on passport application? by: Anonymous Question: I recently got married and changed my name, where I acquired a middle name. For my passport application, is it fine to just write my first and last name as written on my marriage certificate even if it also shows a middle name on the marriage certificate? Or am I required to include my middle name? If I should include my middle name, then is it fine if I just write my middle initials or is that invalid? Thanks! Answer: You may choose whichever name variation you want --with middle, no middle or just the initial. As long as it is supported by your name change document, it should be okay.

Leaving out middle names on passport application by: Anonymous Question: Bought international airline tickets for my two toddlers and did not include their middle names in booking. Actual passport appointment for them is not until later this month. Wondering if it’s possible and legal to just leave out middle names on passport applications so their passports show same names as purchased tickets? Answer: Yes, it is legal.

Adding middle name to passport by: Anonymous Question: Can I add a middle name to my child’s passport application though her birth certificate does not carry a middle name? Answer: You need to legally change the child's name in order to add the middle name on her passport.

Middle name by: Anonymous Question: I booked an international flight. On my ticket I put just my first and last name, not really thinking I needed to put my middle name since I never use it. On my passport it has my first, middle and last name. Will I have any trouble because my ticket does not have my middle name? Answer: Some leniency may be provided since it only involves your middle name. Please contact the airline you are flying with to verify.

Two middle names by: Anonymous Question: I have two middle names. Both are presented on my birth certificate. Do i put both middle names in the white bar with a space between said middle names on the paper application? Answer: You can include both middle names on the application form if they fit in the spaces provide and you want both on your passport. You can include both, one or neither.

middle names by: Anonymous Question: I am now married and I wanted to apply for my passport but I wanted to have it read on my passport first name, middle name, maiden last name as middle ,and last married name. Is it possible to put that in passport? Or could I put first maiden last name and last married name? What supporting documentation I need? What if it doesnt ask in my marriage license how would it read as married...or does it just have to match my social security and dl. Answer: Both options you mentioned are acceptable. Submit a completed application form, passport, passport photo and the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Submit Form DS-5504 if your passport was issued less than 12 months ago. Submit Form DS-82 if your passport was issued more than 12 months ago. There is no fee if you submit the former but a fee of $110 if you submit the latter.

LONG MIDDLE NAMES by: Anonymous Question: My daughter has 2 long middle names and her given name is a bit long as well First name -7 letters Middle Name - 11 2nd Middle name-7. THat is what is on her Birth Certificate which will be her form of identification for her passport. Will both middle names fit? Will there be difficulties because she has 2 middle names? What is the max amount of characters to be put on the GIVEN NAME MIDDLE NAME section of the passport book? Answer: The Travel Document Issuance System (TDIS) and American Citizens Services (ACS) system only allow for a certain set number of characters on the line for given and middle names as well as the line for the surname. The Acceptance Agency where you apply will have to determine, with your input, what abbreviated version of the legal name is acceptable to you for inclusion in the passport data page.

Need more info on 2 middle names/initials by: Anonymous Question: I have the same situation as this person. The marriage certificate in the state I married simply asks the name of the groom and the name of the bride. It does not ask what name the bride or groom will use after the marriage. It simply states "John Joseph Doe" as the groom and "Jane Marie Smith" as the bride. Because I was older when I married I found it necessary to keep my maiden name in the equation due to my lengthy history using that name. My drivers license says Jane Smith Doe. But my passport came back with Jane Marie Doe. I had stated that I was known as Jane Marie Doe and aka Jane Smith Doe thinking it would have both names. Will it be a problem that my drivers license and passport have the same first & last names but the middle name differs because one is my given middle name and the other is my maiden name? Thank you. Answer: What is important is that your passport be in your current legal name as evidenced by a legal document (marriage certificate or court order) or public records that show exclusive use of the name for a period of at least five years. If the name in your passport is one that you have used for that period of time, then there should be no problem. Concerning your driver's license, it is not necessary to present it at border crossings. When traveling internationally, you do need to make sure that the names in your passport an on your airline ticket are exactly the same. Differences on these can cause problems. Best regards, William

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