Will my maiden name appear as my middle name on my new passport?

by Julie
(Boston, MA, USA)

Question: I need to renew my passport for an upcoming trip, but I'm concerned with how my name will appear to book the tickets. When I got married I took my husband's last name and made my maiden name my middle name. So my name was FirstName MiddleName LastName and is now FirstName MaidenName Husband'sLastName.

I changed this with the social security office. I understand that I need to submit proof of my name change with my renewal application so I've requested a certified marriage certificate, but I'm concerned that this will only take care of my last name and not my middle name. I'm afraid my passport could come as FirstName MiddleName Husband'sLastName instead of FirstName MaidenName Husband'sLastName.

Should I try to apply in person at the regional office so they can tell me how my name will appear before booking my tickets?

Thanks for your help

Answer: You do not need to apply in person. In fact, you can only apply in person at a regional passport center if you can present evidence of plans to travel within 2 weeks.

The name that will be printed in your passport is the one you provide on the renewal application form and can support with an official document such as an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Passport services does not choose the name that is put on a passport. Passports are issued in the legal names of the applicants. For this reason, you must submit evidence of the legal name change.

As long as the marriage certificate shows your new name as FirstName MaidenName Husband'sLastName, then that is what will be in the passport. If it does not, then the only way to have that name in your passport is to request a court order for a legal name change.