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Original poster

Valid passport without all middle names? Advice please!

33 replies

ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 13:30

Hi everyone,

I really need some advice from anyone who has long middle names and has applied for a passport.

I have recently applied for a passport for one of my children. When I attempted to fill in their forename and middle names in the field on the application website, they were too long by 1 character.

I called HMPO and they said to include a covering letter and to put an initial for the last middle name on the form. Since the birth cert and letter would be included with the application, they would see this and either make it fit or place it in the observations page above.

So I did as told and sent it off. It came back a few days ago and the name on the plasticy credit card type "main" page says "First Middle Middle M" ie. the last middle name is just an initial as would have been filled out on the online form. There were no observations on the page above, where I was told the full name would be listed.

I called HMPO after googling and from what I can see, it definitely should be listed there, which is exactly what the 2nd person I spoke to said. I was told to now fill out a paper form, get new photos and send it all off again. I pointed out that this was not my fault and that I had provided all the required information and done exactly as instructed - So its going to cost me at least another £10 special delivery to send off? She said I could request a call back from a manager, which came yesterday.

The manager told me I had been given misinformation by the previous two people at the standard call centre and that the passport is definitely valid. She said they only put the full name on the official observations if it is specifically requested. I have asked for this in writing because obviously it's going to be absolutely awful if we get to the border and find out we can't travel!

My question is: Has anyone else with names that wouldn't fit, been able to travel without when all present on the passport? Is it valid?

I'm really quite concerned about the variation in information I have been given and I am very worried this will wreck the holiday. We're going to Disney Land, so as you can imagine, the fallout from this could be absolutely disastrous!

Thanks

OP posts:
CocoPlum · 07/05/2025 13:31

Are their middle names all listed on the tickets? Our passports have middle names but those are never on our tickets.

Original poster
ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 13:35

No, middle names are not on the tickets.

OP posts:
TerrifiedPassenger · 07/05/2025 13:35

I only have experience the other way round - a friend of mine's middle names were not in her passport (long story including legally registering the names she'd used since birth) and she was stopped from flying HOME as her ticket didn't match.

Not sure if the same applies - I would take birth certs when travelling in case

Original poster
ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 13:38

So your friend could still travel without all her names on the passport? I think we are going to have to take birth certs. If I had known this was going to be such a faff, I would have changed one of the middle names!

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 07/05/2025 13:40

Your travel name has to match passport
So ticket needs to say
"First Middle Middle M"
Then it is fine

tigerlily9 · 07/05/2025 13:41

Write to them and get a response in writing

CocoPlum · 07/05/2025 13:43

cestlavielife · 07/05/2025 13:40

Your travel name has to match passport
So ticket needs to say
"First Middle Middle M"
Then it is fine

Our tickets usually say Firstname Surname, our passports show middle names, but we don't have those on the tickets. Surely if OP's tickets show first and last names correctly as on passport, all the middle names don't matter?

Original poster
ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 13:47

tigerlily9 · 07/05/2025 13:41

Write to them and get a response in writing

I asked the manager that called to send me a letter. She said she would. Let's see...

OP posts:
notimagain · 07/05/2025 13:48

@CocoPlum

"Our tickets usually say Firstname Surname, our passports show middle names"

Same here, never had a problem.

Original poster
ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 13:53

Thanks everyone for the clarification on tickets.

What I really wanted to know is: Is the passport valid with just that initial as the last middle name? I was told the name would be listed elsewhere on the passport and it is not. One letter could be anything.. Tim, Tony, Theo..

It won't match the birth cert!

I was hoping there would be someone here with the same situation that could tell me they've had no issues.

OP posts:
SlipperyLizard · 07/05/2025 14:16

I think the key thing is to match the flight tickets, which as others have said usually only have first name and surname. My DDs have two middle names but I expect 3 are even more unusual so you may not find anyone with the same issue!

Good luck with the passport office!

whirlyhead · 07/05/2025 14:33

I have two very long middle names and have never had to put them down when booking flight tickets so you should be fine. So long as the first name and surname in the tickets match the passport there won’t be an issue.

Original poster
ElectricShoe · 07/05/2025 17:41

Well the names on the tickets are just first and last, and I am waiting for the letter from this manager (if I get it!). I will post back when it arrives.

OP posts:
tigerlily9 · 07/05/2025 22:21

Hope you do but I wouldn’t hold my breath. That’s why I would write myself to a senior manager then they have to reply.
could ask airline if they will accept passport - not sure if it would help as might depend on the person on the day. Also if you are being given the run around you could try asking your MP to help.

ThirdAidKit · 07/05/2025 22:29

I’ve got four middle names. They don’t fit, they just put them all as initials in passport - nothing in observations. Just has to match the ticket.

ThirdAidKit · 07/05/2025 22:30

So Helen D E F G Oftroy

ThirdAidKit · 07/05/2025 22:31

And yes I just put first and last name on ticket and ignore initials

samarrange · 07/05/2025 23:18

Yes, the passport is valid. And there will be no problem going to the US, in particular, where a surprising number of people have a middle name that is literally just an initial (starting with President Harry S Truman, whose "S" didn't stand for anything).

In fact, thinking about it, how could the passport not be valid? The UK government has issued it, you did not misrepresent yourself or DC in any way, and a border official has no way to check what's in the passport against a birth certificate anyway.

What is important is that if you apply for an ESTA for the US (or, shortly, an ETIAS for the EU, or any other "e-visa" or "e-not-quite-visa"), that you put exactly what is in the passport, not what is on the birth certificate.

WhisperingTree · 07/05/2025 23:25

I don’t see why it’s not valid. I have never booked any flight tickets with my middle name. My passport has it.

Whizzgosh · 07/05/2025 23:25

“What is important is that if you apply for an ESTA for the US (or, shortly, an ETIAS for the EU, or any other "e-visa" or "e-not-quite-visa"), that you put exactly what is in the passport, not what is on the birth certificate.”

Yes, this, I used a previous passport for the whole 10 years with my middle name spelled wrong. I had a visa application refused because I spelled my name correctly so had to apply again with the misspelling to match my passport.

titchy · 07/05/2025 23:33

Am I missing something, but why is this an issue? You have a passport. That’s it. Why would immigration decide it wasn’t valid? For all they know ‘M’ could be the actual middle name! As long as your tickets match that’s fine.

CountryQueen · 08/05/2025 08:49

samarrange · 07/05/2025 23:18

Yes, the passport is valid. And there will be no problem going to the US, in particular, where a surprising number of people have a middle name that is literally just an initial (starting with President Harry S Truman, whose "S" didn't stand for anything).

In fact, thinking about it, how could the passport not be valid? The UK government has issued it, you did not misrepresent yourself or DC in any way, and a border official has no way to check what's in the passport against a birth certificate anyway.

What is important is that if you apply for an ESTA for the US (or, shortly, an ETIAS for the EU, or any other "e-visa" or "e-not-quite-visa"), that you put exactly what is in the passport, not what is on the birth certificate.

She’s going to France

thingsineverthoughtidsay · 08/05/2025 08:53

I don’t have my middle names on my passport at all. I spoke to the passport office and they said this is absolutely fine, as long as the first and last name are on there, and I’ve never had any trouble travelling.

samarrange · 08/05/2025 09:10

CountryQueen · 08/05/2025 08:49

She’s going to France

Show quote history

Ah. I just saw "Disney Land" without any qualification and so assumed it was the one in California.

CountryQueen · 08/05/2025 12:23

samarrange · 08/05/2025 09:10

Ah. I just saw "Disney Land" without any qualification and so assumed it was the one in California.

Show quote history

Yes could be I suppose. Bit of a strange choice though to bypass disneyworld to get there. Tiny in comparison

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