I have a double barrelled surname that is 17 characters long and when I opened a bank account they were only able to use one half of it. I want to open more bank accounts and generally integrate more into life in Japan. I may have found a way to solve this name issue, but want to check it won’t create more problems.
Because the name on my birth certificate is single barrelled (I changed to double barrelled as an adult), the passport office in my home country said they could send me a replacement passport with just that original half of my name on it.
When I apply to renew my visa (child of Japanese national) is there likely to be a problem when they see that the name in my passport has changed? If so, is there anything I can do to prepare for this?
Is there anything else I should be aware of before deciding to go ahead and order a new passport?
(To be clear, the new passport would have the same first name, but the last name would be shortened to just one half of the previously double barrelled name. It should be obvious its the same person)
1 comment
Once you change your passport name, fill out a form to change the information on your residence card and submit it within two weeks. Take your old and new passports as proof you’re the same person. It doesn’t matter if your residence card isn’t going to expire soon. The new card will have the same expiration date.
I changed my name on my passport due to marriage, and got a new residence card within 15 minutes of submitting my papers at immigration. It was free.