EDIT: I’m American, sorry for not mentioning it at first
EDIT 2: i have already registered a legal alias, but i have heard a few cases where it doesn’t work, so i am trying to get it done the complete way
hey all, as the title says, i got married, and decided to use my wife’s last name. also, i read that you can remove your middle name by not writing it on your passport renewal app.
So, that’s what I did, but when the new passport came in the mail today, it still has my middle name! Of course, the last name is new, but i really need this middle name gone. was it an error on their part, or did i do something wrong? i’m fairly confident i left the middle name field blank on the application.
Of course, all the japanese wedding documents that i submit to the embassy still only have my full old name (including middle name) because that’s what my old passport had. i’m not sure how else i can prove my name change.
Should i just try to mail in a “passport correction” application and include a piece of paper that says “NO MIDDLE NAME PLEASE”? or should i go to the embassy in person, or call? it looks like their phone lines are only open a couple days a week for a few hours only.
Has anyone else had this problem?
by Tuxedo717
8 comments
What is your nationality?
If you’re American, I tried the same thing last year and it also didn’t work. Maybe they don’t do that anymore 🙁
I think it’s worth inquiring with the embassy about but just adding my two cents that, registering a legal alias to use my husband’s kanji last name and cutting out my middle name in katakana has worked out really well and is not a bad alternative if you can’t change your passport again
Did you change your name properly in your home country? This process will vary by country.
that is not how to legally change your name. It’s a separate application.
And after that the passport name can get changed. BUT maybe your country does it differently.
Why did you take your wife’s last name? What is your end goal? It doesn’t even make sense. Even if your goal is too apply for citizenship and become a naturalized Japanese citizen at that point you just choose a Japanese name anyway so there’s no functional purpose for you to take your wife’s last name it’s just weird and nobody does thatin a mixed marriage the Japanese citizen spouse just keeps her name and you keep yours and it doesn’t make a difference so I question what the reasoning and why more out of curiosity than anything else
I (successfully) did it back in 2020. I specifically asked the embassy staff (via email) and they told me to submit the **new passport form**. I’m guessing this is what went wrong for you.
Specifically, this is exactly what they said in the email:
“Yes, in order to drop off your middle name, you must make an appointment and apply in person.
Note that you must use the form DS-11, not DS-82.”
(Also, yes, this is only for Americans. An official name change is NOT necessary. I don’t think this is possible for most other countries)
I think you should have at least included a note asking for your middle name to be dropped. They probably figured you forgot to write it down and helpfully added it back in for you. All you can do now is reach out to them and see if it can be fixed, and what it will cost.