Can I get a passport if the name on my birth certificate does not match the name on my drivers license and social secrity card?

by Tim
(Washington)

Question: The last name on my birth certificate is different than the name I use on all of my legal documentation. I have used the last name of my step-father since I was a small baby, although this is not the name on my birth certificate. Currently my social security card, drivers license, military records, bank accounts and so forth are all under this last name. I need a passport, but do not want it made out for the name on my birth certificate since this is not the name I am known by. How do I apply for one?

Answer: The most effective way would be to legally change your name through a court order. Name Changes are filed in District Court, in the county where you reside. You will need to contact the District Court in the county where you reside in order to obtain the needed forms.

Washington County Court Listing

The fees for a legal name change vary depending upon the county and possibly on the number of persons named on the Petition. Contact your county's district court for this information.

Once the Petition has been completed, the case will be presented to a judge for approval and signature. This usually happens either the same day or the next day.

Once the name change has been approved, you can request to have your name changed on your birth certificate. If you were born in Washington State, you need to send certified copies of all the completed paperwork to:

Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709

If you prefer not to change your name through a court order, then you must submit 1) Form DS-60 Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name and 2) at least three early public records.

Note, the U.S. Department of State Passport Services has final say concerning which name is entered in your passport in this case. They can choose to enter the name on your birth certificate even if you prove the use of another name.

An Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name must be submitted with an application for a U.S. passport when the name which is used by the applicant is substantially different from that shown on the evidence of citizenship.

The person who completes the form should preferably be a blood relative and must have personal knowledge of the your use of both names.

Download Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name

To support a change of name that has been adopted without formal court proceedings or by a marriage, you must present three or more public documents showing exclusive use of the name for at least five years.

Early public records include but are not limited to the following.

* Baptismal certificate
* Census record
* Early school record
* Family bible record
* Doctor's record of post-natal care