Will my form DS-11 be rejected if I reversed my last names?

by Jay
(USA)

Question: I would like to know if there is a possibility that the government agency that deals with handing out passports could deny me if the name on my driver's license differs from that in my birth certificate? For example my driver's license has my first and fathers last name which I use to do all my legal work with but on my birth certificate shows my first name, fathers last name, and mothers maiden name. Would that be a problem?

On my social security it states that I do have my father, and mother last names for example (John Smith-Garcia). It does not note this on my DMV license. It shows as (Jay Smith). Now when I did the application I added both my mother, and father last name. I don't remember when signing the DS-11 in front of the clerk at USPS if I added my mother's maiden name. You understand that before you send out the application it has to be signed in-front of the witness. This is what worries me.

When the clerk sends out your application, do they also send out a photo copy of your driver's license to government agency issuing the U.S. passports?

In the second page that needs to be filled out on the DS-11 form, it asks to supply your last first and middle name. Now, say I wrote my last name reversed by accident. For example, my name is (Jay Smith-Garcia) but I wrote (Garcia,Smith Jay). Should I have written it (Smith,Garcia John) instead? Will this cause a problem?

Thank you.

Answer: A passport is issued in the legal name of the applicant. Documents which can be submitted as evidence of legal name include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate or name change court order. If the name on the application does not match the name on the birth certificate, there can be problems.

Also, you are required to present proof of identity and a photocopy of the identification document. If the name on the ID does not match the the name on the birth certificate or the passport application, there can be problems.

If the processing center encounters a problem with your application, they will either contact you to request additional supporting documents or return the application for you to re-submit.

If the application is processed and the passport sent to you, it is important that you verify the name in the passport. It should be your current legal name. If the name is incorrect, you should return the passport for corrections.

About 7 days from the day you sent your request, you can check the passport application status online.