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Original poster

Passport office won’t issue my passport,help pls

369 replies

Christmaspug · 17/02/2020 07:41

I’ve never really used my first name ,always used my middle name ,.on my wedding certificate the registrar put my middle name first as that’s what everyone calls me.
Passport office want proof of a name change from first name to middle name

Obviously I’ve not got that ,lots of people use their second name when they don’t like their first name,why would I change it officially as they are both my name.
I’m about to loose my £80 fee ,as this has been has been going backwards and forwards for some time ,
I’ve simply not got the proof they want ,
What on Earth can I do
I’m 46 always lived in uk and never had a passport before

OP posts:
Lweji · 17/02/2020 07:53

Do you have any evidence from work, banks, bills, contracts?

I have to say, though that names are important, and like them or not, they are not to be messed with.
These measures are to avoid identity theft, which is already bad in the UK.
Surely you understand that Mary Jane Smith is not the same as Jane Mary Smith. And you'd be very upset if anyone took your name and was able to take out a loan in your place, for example.

purered73 · 17/02/2020 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn - posted on wrong thread.

givememarmite · 17/02/2020 07:53

I also go by my middle name and have a passport issued only in that name and my surname. My first name does not appear on it. I have renewed my passport like this and also got a new one when I got married to change my surname, providing my marriage certificate which has both first name and middle names (as on my birth certificate). There was no issue with getting it issued like that at all, it was however 7 years ago so maybe they have changed the rules/tightened up on these things in the meantime.

PeakingDuck · 17/02/2020 07:53

What can I do

What @PineappleDanish said

Or, have passport issued in your legal name and... if already booked... change the name on your tickets.

Whynosnowyet · 17/02/2020 07:53

Them surely you ARE your middle name?

PineappleDanish · 17/02/2020 07:54

Yes my full name is on my birth certificate ,just middle name down first

Adjust your thinking on this. The names as written on your birth certificate, in that order, are your legal names.

The fact you have chosen to use them in another order is irrelevant.

Original poster
Christmaspug · 17/02/2020 07:54

Sorry birth certificate has not got middle name first ,my mistake

OP posts:
ColdCottage · 17/02/2020 07:55

I'm sorry, I'm confused.

You can surely see that your passport and other legal documents need to in your legally given name - the one on your birth certificate.

Yes it's fine to use whatever name you like for work, email etc but for legal documents you need to use the one on your birth certificate.

I would change the paperwork to match this. Get your passport than as others have suggested change it by deed poll and apply for a new passport then (or when you feel like filling out £80).

Just remember to use that name on all ticket you book. It's a bit like when you get married and have to book tickets in maiden name until you change your passport (I was too tight to pay for a new one until it expired)

SouthWestmom · 17/02/2020 07:55

I think your marriage certificate is an incorrect record so I would start their tbh.

BrieAndChilli · 17/02/2020 07:55

Plenty of people have nicknames but the passport office is right not to allow them to be put on passport. For all they know you are using someone else’s marriage certificate in order to obtain a false passport.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 17/02/2020 07:55

You can do a deed poll that says you changed your name in the past. I have a few clients who had similar and the passport office were happy with the deed poll.

Sirzy · 17/02/2020 07:56

Think of it from the POV of the passport office though they have someone who on the birth certificate is called Julie Smith and then are given a marriage certificate for Claire Jones and are expected to believe it’s the same person?

The problem is the wrong name having been used on the marriage certificate. You can call yourself what you like day to do but the right name needs to be used on official documents

Batfurger · 17/02/2020 07:56

I'm glad you clarified you got married since your birth certificate was issued. It cleared up a lot of the confusion...

MsJaneAusten · 17/02/2020 07:56

You need to ask the passport office that question.

They’re doing their job. You need to work out what they need. Is it deed poll? Is it for the marriage certificate to be changed? Is it further evidence of who you are? A meeting?

Kote · 17/02/2020 07:56

Deed poll can be done very easily. When I did it there was a space to hand write the date in (ordered online so looked a bit more 'official' from www.deedpolls-online.co.uk/) so you could just back date it to before you applied?

Original poster
Christmaspug · 17/02/2020 07:57

If I do a dead poll to match my now married name ,will that be ok ,and will I have to see a solicitor to do it

OP posts:
othervoicesotherrooms · 17/02/2020 07:57

Why won't they use your birth certificate name?

Birth certificate: Sarah Mary Jones

Marriage certificate: Mary Sarah Jones

Passport: Sarah Mary Jones

I know you want it the other way but dies it matter really?

Just change by deed poll.

HeronLanyon · 17/02/2020 07:57

It not surprising the passport office are expecting your passport to be in your birth certificate name or see a recognised change of name document surely. I’d be worried if you could just get a passport in a different name with nothing official as evidence.
What’s the problem with your passport being in your given first name and you carry on being called by your middle name generally.
My mum was in this situation. She died recently and dealing with banks/solicitors/dvla/coroner etc etc has been made easy by the fact she used her passport name for everything official and all forms of ID and photo ID etc and everything financial whilst using other forms of her name for everything else.

bohemia14 · 17/02/2020 07:58

I would go back to the registry office who recorded your name incorrectly. They should have used the names on the birth certificate as it's a legal document. It's their mistake. If they can reissue it with the correct names it will match with the passport and satisfy the passport office requirements.

PineappleDanish · 17/02/2020 07:58

Sorry birth certificate has not got middle name first ,my mistake

Whatever. Your passport has to match the order of the names on your birth certificate, UNLESS you can also provide a legal change of name document. Which you can't.

KittyMcKitty · 17/02/2020 07:58

The problem as it stands is surely that your marriage certificate is incorrect- your legal name is that on your birth certificate unless you have legally changed it - which you haven’t.

I would speak to a solicitor regarding what you need to do to sort this out - I’m surprised that your marriage certificate was issued not in your legal name and wondered if it would be considered invalid in it’s current form.

onalongsabbatical · 17/02/2020 07:58

Is there any reason other than how you feel about it that you cannot just bite the bullet and have the passport in your legal name? What's the actual problem?

FATEdestiny · 17/02/2020 07:59

Do you have a driving licence?

bohemia14 · 17/02/2020 07:59

Sorry should have said the marriage certificate will match the birth certificate and meet the passport office requirements.

SouthWestmom · 17/02/2020 07:59

Also the passport office won't issue with her married name (If she wants it) because the certificate and birth certificate don't match