Passport Question (Re: Name)

[HLAuburn]

We are going this week to apply for new passports. My old passport is in my maiden name and is long expired. I filled out the online form to print out, but I used my first, middle, and married last name on the application and then realized that my driver's license has first, maiden, and last. Does this matter? Does the passport agency care what name your passport is in?
There is a space for other names you have gone by, and so my other names are listed there. Is that enough?

Thanks!

 

[Beth76]

Send along a copy of your marriage license.

 

[sweet angel]

I would send copies of everything you can that shows the chronology of different names. My passport is in first, middle, last name, as is my driver's license.

I guess it depends how quickly you need the passport and if you can risk having it returned. Why don't you call your post office or county clerk and ask? They help people fill out the applications.

 

[HLAuburn]

I would send copies of everything you can that shows the chronology of different names. My passport is in first, middle, last name, as is my driver's license.

I guess it depends how quickly you need the passport and if you can risk having it returned. Why don't you call your post office or county clerk and ask? They help people fill out the applications.

We're actually going to the post office to apply, but I just wanted to print the forms before we go to save time. I guess I could always fill out another application if this isn't acceptable.

I've tried to call the P.O. but either no one answers or I am rerouted to the 1-800 number for USPS and they don't know much.

Thanks for the help.

 

[EthansMom]

We are going this week to apply for new passports. My old passport is in my maiden name and is long expired. I filled out the online form to print out, but I used my first, middle, and married last name on the application and then realized that my driver's license has first, maiden, and last. Does this matter? Does the passport agency care what name your passport is in?
There is a space for other names you have gone by, and so my other names are listed there. Is that enough?

Thanks!

It sounds like you've filled out the passport application properly, but that your driver's license is slightly incorrect in that it lists your maiden name instead of your middle name. You shouldn't have much of a problem getting your passport issued in the proper name.

Your application for a new passport may actually be considered a renewal even though your passport is expired. Just to be sure you have the appropriate documentation, take a certified copy of your birth certificate, your old passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, and your driver's license when you apply for the new passport.

The passport offices are cracking down and making sure all I's are dotted and T's crossed lately. My Mom and Stepdad are going on a trip next summer with us and decided to get their passports early. They went to different passport offices and each had to second trips after getting appropriate information regarding prior marriages.

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

Just be sure whatever your passport says matches what your airline tickets are for traveling purposes. If your passport reads Jane Doe Smith....that is what your airline tickets should say.

 

[Luv'sTink]

You are going to need your marriage license any way, to prove name change. Remember all copies have to be certified.

Here is a link to the US Dept. of State passports (name change)

 

[Toby'sFriend]

When you go to the Post Office take

Your Driver's Liscense
A certified Marriage Liscense (the official one, not the fancy one the Minister signed)
A Certified Birth Certificate
and
Your old Passport

oh and two good photos. They are getting really particular about the photos being the exact right size and no smiling.

 

[jodifla]

When you go to the Post Office take

Your Driver's Liscense
A certified Marriage Liscense (the official one, not the fancy one the Minister signed)
A Certified Birth Certificate
and
Your old Passport

oh and two good photos. They are getting really particular about the photos being the exact right size and no smiling.

Where are you getting this no smiling stuff? I don't see that listed anywhere....

 

[onyx8]

They are getting really particular about the photos being the exact right size and no smiling.

I just renewed my passport by mail last month. I sent in a pic with me smiling and they put it in my passport. DH applied for his in person, also with a smiling pic and no issues, they put that pic in his passport.

 

[NCRedding]

The photography FAQs indicate that the person in the passport phot should have a natural look with eyes open, and mouth closed.

I haven't used my original middle name as my middle name since I got married. As far as I am concerned, my legal name is "First Name" "Maiden Last Name" "Married Last Name", so when I reapplied for my passport, I used what I consider my legal name--matches up with everything-names on deeds, car titles, insurance policies, drivers license--makes life much simpler.

 

[pandamom]

We smiled for ours last month and it wasn't a prolbem. I used our digital camera to take the photos and printed them w/our photo printer.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

Your photographs must be:

* 2x2 inches in size
* Identical
* Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
* Color
* Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
* Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
* Taken in normal street attire
o Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
o Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
o If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
o Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

 

[bekkiz]

Am I the only one a little confused? How do you not know what your legal name is? When I got married, I had to change my name on my Social Security card first, before I could change anything else--and that's the name that now goes on everything. I would imagine you should use that version of your name.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Where are you getting this no smiling stuff? I don't see that listed anywhere....

My oldest son's got returned because he had a bit of a smirk on his face and his head was tilted a little to the side.

My middle son's got returned because his head was a couple of mm too small.

 

[suzannen]

I just renewed mine in NY and was told no smiling and my friend who had hers renewed in NJ was told the same thing.

 

[Jennasis]

Your passport, airline ticket and driver's license will all need to have the same name on them. So whatever you driver's license says is the name you need to book the plane ticket with and the name your passport needs to show. There is a box on the application (I'm holding one right now, as I have to apply for one myself) that allows you to list ALL the names you have used previously.

 

[HLAuburn]

Well, for what its worth, I finally talked to a nice lady at the clerk of court, and she said that my passport app should match the name on my driver's license. So since its first/maiden/last on my license, I guess the pp app should be the same. Oh well...