Should we get middle names on certificates?

[Choccyp1g]

DS is just about to start A-level exams, and the school sent round a schedule, saying to check the name.

Their schedule only shows first name and surname, so I asked if the certificate would show his middle names, and they have replied saying it is our choice.

Neither of his names are super common, but not rare either. With the middle names, he would probably be unique due to a family surname used as a middle name.

I'll ask him as well, but what do people think?

I hate my middle name so would not have wanted it on a certificate.

I have no idea where my A level certificates even are, and don't believe I have ever been required to produce them.

So unless you are intending to frame and display said certificates, I don't suppose it matters that much.

We've just had this with the GCSE certificates. Ds is in year 11 and obviously has a first name and a surname but has always been known as first name then MY surname then his dad's surname and seems to have dropped it recently, I noticed his social media account had dropped my name.
My surname is his second middle name so on his birth certificate/passport etc and came about because we couldn't decide on his surname when registering him ( we weren't married and split up when he was 2 ) and it does seem a bit of a mouth full so just going with first name, neither middle name and surname.

Hope that makes sense :)

My Dd has initials on her exam certificates we gave her two middle names god knows why but they don't fit on anything so she has initials

If a name has gone off a social media account surely it's through choice? I don't think it's a good idea putting middle names on social media anyway.
As for exam certificates, it could be useful if they might call themselves by their middle name.

DS quite likes his middle names but never really uses them.

My mum only ever used ours when telling us off, and I have spent many years trying to shake off my hated middle name.

He's going to ask his mates, and we'll go with their his decision.

it should be the full name as per birth certificate/passport.
employers check of certificates might throw up questions otherwise.

Dd likes her middle name we panicked and gave her another so as not to offend and now it is such a long name to fit on anything her professional qualification has her initials too

greenelephantscarf that's what I thought, but the school says it doesn't matter, I presume because nowadays all the results are linked with school systems and some record which follows you all through education.

they might be linked now.

but what if dc later wants to study abroad? or take on a job with security clearance (i.e. enhanced background checks)?

Good point. We have decided to go for the full birth certificate name.