How do I best change the middle name on my passport to the middle initial I use on everything else?

by Kate
(Ohio)

Question: I am trying to make sure all my documents, including my passport, match with regards to my middle name/initial. My name on my birth certificate was "Kate Mary Ellis".

When I got married, I decided to follow a family tradition and take my maiden surname and use it as my middle initial. My name would then be "Kate E.(Ellis)Lee". Unfortunately, when I came to Ohio, 30+ years ago, my name on my driver's license became "Kate M. Lee". However, I have used "Kate E. Lee" for all my other documents, going back 30+ years (employment, house, credit cards, banks, etc.).

I recently asked the OH BMV if I could use my maiden name initial as my middle initial, and they said it is legal in Ohio, so I plan to do that. My name on my driver's license would then read "Kate E. Lee" instead of "Kate M. Lee".

I also want to change my passport, which now says: "Surname: Lee" and "Given names: Kate Mary", changing "Mary" to "Ellis" or just "E".

I have a large amount of paperwork going back to 1970's which shows that I have been using "Kate E. Lee" for everything (work record, IRS, SS#, pension - except driver's license and passport), but I can't find anything which states both date of birth and place of birth. I think that on some applications for bank accounts, etc. they asked you if you were a US citizen, but I don't think I made copies of such applications. My voter record, for example, says "Kate E. Lee", and has my current address and voting record going back ten years, but that is all.

How do I best go about getting a new passport with the name I have on all other records "Kate E. Lee". Thank you for your help. I appreciate the Passport Service having this site where questions can be asked.

(I have made the names hypothetical, for security's sake)

Answer: The easiest and surest way is to apply for a court order name change. In Ohio, you apply at the probate court of the county in which you reside. The process takes approximately 6-8 weeks and costs $108 plus publishing costs. The official court order would be the only document required to change the name on your passport.

If you cannot legally document your name change through marriage certificate or court order, then you must submit at least 3 public records showing your date and place of birth that show exclusive use of your assumed name for at least 5 years. Send this, along with the application for a new passport and required supporting documents, to the address on the application form.

In the absence of the court order, the more documents you can provide that support the use of the assumed name for at least 5 years, the better.