Does anyone work at the passport office and know about this scenario?

[blueberrymojito]

So, I’ve recently for my son’s passport renewal. DH did the first one when he was a baby and put my name down as “Mrs Married”. Passport was issued no problems. However my passport is actually “Ms Maiden” and I have used this name when I’ve done his passport renewal. Obviously they have noticed a discrepancy with the two names and are questioning it. I use both names and have documents in each. I provided my marriage certificate at their request to link the names and thought that would be sufficient.

I have now had another email from them, requesting a signed letter from myself to state “I use my maiden name for all purposes”. I can’t do this because I’d be lying, I use both names in different contexts. I contacted their helpline and they were helpful, and suggested I write a letter explaining the situation but I’m worried this isn’t going to suffice?

I’ve searched and searched and can’t see I’ve done anything wrong here so why is it my marriage certificate isn’t enough to confirm both names refer to the same person?

You said you are only supposed to have one official legal name. That is incorrect. Plenty of women use two names and it is perfectly legal to do so in the UK.

The only ballache about it is for those of us who use both married and maiden because we often come across situations like the OP describes.

Respectfully, the reasons as to why are my business only. In the UK you can call yourself anything as long as you aren’t doing it to deceive anyone (which I am not). I was updating the thread for anyone in the future who might have wondered what the outcome was. The passport office were absolutely fine with it. As was the case when I renewed my driving license last year. Just because you think I should choose between my married or maiden name, doesn’t mean I have to.

No, it’s not. You can live under whatever name you choose.