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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.

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

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New application with multiple last names
by: scw

Question: I was married 3 times- last divorce has a court-ordered name change going back to my first, maiden, and previous marriage. I then married my current husband and took his last name. My SSN and Real ID DL both have first given, middle prior married, and last current married. I wish to get a passport with first-given, middle- maiden middle previous married, and last current married. Is this possible without causing problems?

Answer: Yes. As long as the ID/s you present support the name you enter in the application form, it should be okay.

Getting married, passport is expired.
by: Lisa

Question: My passport expired last year. I am getting married next spring. Can I apply for a passport renewal with the married name change after our wedding or will I have to apply for a new passport?

Answer: Yes, you may apply for a passport renewal name change after your wedding.

Maiden Middle Name
by: Anonymous

Question: I have my first name and married last name on my current passport. I want to add my maiden name as my middle name on my renewed passport. I was previously married and have that last name on my marriage certificate, but my maiden name stated on the marriage certificate is correct. Do I need to click "yes" under "Name Changed Since Document Issued" and then check "marriage", even though it is not technically a name change? If yes, will sending a certified copy of my marriage certificate suffice to add my maiden name as my middle name on my renewed passport? TIA.

Answer: Since this is not technically a name change, you need to submit a new application instead of a renewal. The ID you present with the application must match the name you enter in the form for it to be printed on the new passport.

Please prepare and submit the following in person at a local acceptance facility:

1. Form DS-11
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship (original or certified copy plus photocopy)
3. Government-issued ID (present ID, submit a photocopy)
4. One new passport photo
5. Payment for fees
-Application: $110
-Execution: $35 (pay separately)
-Expedite: $60 (optional)
-Express delivery: $18.32 (optional, recommended)

Routine service takes 8 to 11 weeks. If you need faster processing, request and pay for expedited service for $60. Processing will then be down to 5 to 7 weeks.

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If you are planning a trip, we recommend making final travel arrangements after you receive your passport in the mail.

CA Marriage License Does Not Include A Middle Name
by: Anonymous

Question: I am an ex-pat living in Germany applying for passport renewal via the US Consulate General in Frankfurt.

I was married in 2013 and my new married name on the California marriage certificate is FirstName MarriedLastName (the MiddleName field is blank). I would now like my new passport to be FirstName MaidenMiddleName MarriedLastName. I have not changed any other official IDs (e.g. CA Driver's License, SS card) to reflect my married name, thus far.

Would the passport office accept my application if I requested the MaidenMiddleName?

Answer: The name change should be accepted. Please contact the U.S. consulate you are applying at to verify and obtain more information.

Paternal and Maternal last names
by: Michelle

Question: On my marriage certificate, my husband's name appears with both his paternal and maternal last names, since that's what is on his birth certificate (typical for Latin American countries). However, all his IDs (driver's license, military, SSN, etc) only have his paternal last name. I only want the paternal last name on my passport and other IDs. Will the passport agency accept the name I want on the application?

Answer: Yes.

The marriage certificate proves the name
by: Anonymous

The marriage certificate should specify the groom's name. That is the "proof" of the new last name. The bride's name can then be changed to first, maiden, and last OR first, middle, and last, whichever the bride chooses. The names just have to be somewhere on the document. The certificate itself is "proof" of an event that occurred that allows a bride to change her name. Some states do have a spot on the certificate that specifies the bride's new full name after marriage, but many do not.

No court order needed
by: aaron

Question: I just called the passport office. They said the marriage certificate does NOT need to show the new married name (First Maiden MarriedLast). They said they will just take the husbands last name. Not sure how that would work if you wanted it to instead read First Middle MarriedLast. I'm guessing they will go off of the name you put on the application form, as long as the husbands last name matches the marriage certificate.

Answer: You're correct.

Middle name on passport after marriage
by: married name change

Question: I have changed my name on social security card due to new marriage to now be first name---middle name of prior married name--new married last name. My passport currently reads firsts name--maiden--prior married name. My marriage certificate only indicates my name PRIOR to having married my current husband, there was no space for what my married name would be. Will sending my marriage certificate (and fees) be enough to change my name to reflect the First, middle as prior married name, new married last name?

Answer: Yes, it should suffice.

Similar Issue
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport reads FirstName MaidenMiddle MaidenLast. I changed my name when I got married and now it reads FirstName MaidenMiddle-MaidenLast MarriedLast. I plan on traveling to Barbados in May. Can I just book everything in my maiden name and be fine even though it has legally changed? I mean, technically my maiden name is still in my name.

Answer: Please book your tickets in the name that appears on your passport.

Maiden name
by: Melanie

Question: Can I submit my SS card and driver's license that shows my maiden name being used as my middle name since my marriage certificate doesn't show new name?

Answer: If you are applying for a new passport for the first time, you only need to take your birth certificate and driver's license as long as the name you request on the passport application matches one of those.

If you are applying for a passport renewal or name change, you must submit evidence of the legal name change. If your marriage certificate does not include the new name, you may be asked to submit a court ordered name change.

Similar Name Change Predicament
by: Kylie

Question: Hello. I am also having a similar issue. My marriage license is from New York and it reads FirstName MiddleInitial MaidenLastName and MarriedLastName. I want my license to read FirstName MaidenLast MarriedLast and have done this on my SS card, voter registration, and a bank card. What will my Passport name be if I submit this information now? Thank you!

Answer: Your passport will be issued in the name you request on the application form as long as it is supported by your name change document.

Marriage License Does Not List New Name
by: Anonymous

Question: My marriage license only lists my former name: First Middle Maiden. Licenses in Alabama do not provide a place for what your married name will be. How does this affect my name change in my passport? I was able to change with SSA with no trouble to First Maiden Husband's. PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer: If the name you want in your passport is not listed on your official marriage certificate, you will need to petition for a name change court order before applying for a passport.

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