passport application and old name

[Karen_A]

I have been transitioned and changed my name a  ago long time (Full time with name change in 1997, SRS 1998) but I have never in my life had a passport...

But I may want to do some traveling in the future, and with the election results i figure i should get one NOW..

But one one of the questions on the form is other names you have used (examples Birth Name ...)

I am uncomfortable having my old name on the form... How have others dealt with that?

Thanks,
- Karen

[Lori Dee]

But one one of the questions on the form is other names you have used (examples Birth Name ...)

I am uncomfortable having my old name on the form... How have others dealt with that?

Do you have a copy of the court order for the legal name change?

That would explain it without giving details. I wouldn't worry about listing it, since that person doesn't exist anymore. The passport will only show your current name and not a list of names you have ever used.

I have not filled out my application yet, so I was wondering the same thing. But I need my birth certificate to show citizenship, and then the court order to show the name was changed. The passport website at Travel.gov lists other documents you can use instead.

Let us know if you learn anything about this.

[Karen_A]

I have not filled out my application yet, so I was wondering the same thing. But I need my birth certificate to show citizenship, and then the court order to show the name was changed.

I just realized another complication... My birth certificate says Karen and female and does not sa it was modified.. But the name at birth entered i entered on he form is male name... that's awfully contradictory...

I filled it out on-line ... but I wonder if if i should fill it out again and leave off the old name off... I don't have a raised seal copy of my original birth certificate and don't think I can get one now that it has beed updated..i don't have any of the other docs they want (and even if I did I would rather not have to use them)!

- Karen

[Jessica_Rose]

I just got my passport. Using the 'expedited' service, it took less than two weeks! I provided a copy of my current drivers license, and an original of my new birth certificate. For 'name at birth', I used the name on my birth certificate. For the question about 'other names', I entered my dead name. Good luck.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Devlyn]

I sent a complete hodgepodge of names and genders: my court ordered name change, male birth certificate, female driver's license. Passport came back very quickly. You should be fine.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Moonflower]

I just realized another complication... My birth certificate says Karen and female and does not sa it was modified.. But the name at birth entered i entered on he form is male name... that's awfully contradictory...

I filled it out on-line ... but I wonder if if i should fill it out again and leave off the old name off... I don't have a raised seal copy of my original birth certificate and don't think I can get one now that it has beed updated..i don't have any of the other docs they want (and even if I did I would rather not have to use them)!

- Karen

We're going to the post office this morning to submit our passport applications. We put my wife's dead name as her name at birth (correction: see below) and other name that she has used, just like our lawyer did on the petition for her name change. Like you, my wife's birth certificate has her current name with the filing date shortly after her birth date, though she just changed her name this year.

The list of alternatives to your birth certificate to prove citizenship is ridiculously inappropriate for many older adults!
Examples of Secondary Citizenship Evidence

Early public or private records/documents

These documents are from the first five years of an applicant's life.
Records should include the applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth.
Examples include:
Baptism certificate
Hospital birth certificate (often shows baby's footprints)
U.S. Census record
Early school records
Family Bible record
Doctor's records of post-natal care
Form DS-10: Birth Affadavit

The Affidavit? The person signing it must remember and explain your birth in detail. My parents, their health care providers, and their friends and siblings were born over 100 years ago!

edited to CORRECT:
The DS-11 Application For a U.S. Passport does NOT ask for name at birth. Just date and place of birth, and "List all other names you have used. (Examples: birth name...legal name change)"

[KathyLauren]

If you get your application in before Jan 20th, they aren't going to care about previous names.  They need to know them and have them on file, I guess, but only your current legal name will appear on the passport.

But, if you lie on the application (even by omission) and say you have no previous names to report, they will care a lot.  Maybe they never find out, but if they do, your passport will likely be cancelled.  It's not worth it.

Just swallow the dysphoria and complete the form truthfully.

[Lori Dee]

Good advice, Kathy! Thanks.