Passport observation - have you got one?

[patgal]

Hello! Hoping someone can help.

Has anybody requested an official observation in their passport stating they are also known by their married surname?

I continue to use my maiden name for official purposes and will renew my passport as such but wanted to know if it’s possible to request an observation stating they are also known by their married surname?

If anyone has successfully requested this observation, what evidence did you send in?

I know you’d need to evidence your married name but was there anything else you needed to submit e.g. proof that you still use your maiden name?

Thanks.

Yes I do. My passport is in my married name but I use my maiden name for work. I think I possibly sent a copy of my company statement showing my maiden name. It went through no problem. However I've never tried to travel on that passport using my maiden name, I'm not sure that would be accepted. I just did it because the bank was being difficult about me using two names. My driver's licence is in my maiden name so I have official ID in both names.

My passport is in my maiden name, always has been, no observation. I use my married name professionally. Never been a problem

Yes. Just requested it and sent marriage certificate.

(And actually this was several years after marriage but didn’t have to prove active use of name.)

Yes, I do.

I called the Passport Office first and they said this would be no problem.

However, I had booked a same day appointment at the Passport Office and when I turned up I did have some trouble with the person dealing with my case who seemed to think it could only be the other way round (with married name as the official name and birth name in the observations).

I stood my ground and said that I use my birth name 99% of the time and that there are only specific situations when I use my married name. Eventually it went through no problem.

I think I just happened to get someone difficult.

Mines in my birth name with my married name as observation. I've travelled in both names.

Only time I've had an issue was during COVID and my ticket was in my maiden name and my COVID pass was in my married name. I couldn't check in online for the return journey but no actual person has ever had an issue with it.

@golemmings @BottleBlondeMachiavelli @MissScarletInTheBallroom When you requested your married name as an observation, did you just send it your marriage certificate and nothing else? Thanks.

That was my evidence but they also asked me to write a letter explaining that I primarily use my birth name and only use my married name occasionally.

I honestly can't remember. I also can't remember what I sent when I renewed it. I think on renewal I did nothing but probably marriage certificate when I did it first.