Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Question: I have a couple of very complicated questions/situations. First off, I legally changed my FULL birth name many years ago. I obtained a passport in my then legally changed name. I moved at one point and lost the passport. Actually, I believe it was stolen. However I never contacted passport services and just forgot about it.

Now, it gets even more complicated. I recently went back to my birth name,(not just maiden name but full birth name) but ADDED my legally changed first name as a middle name (since that is what I have been known by for years), therefore giving me two middle names.

I want my passport to reflect my FULL legal name with both middle names. The problem is DMV wont put full name on driver's license or even first name and two middle initials. They said if they add another name it will be part of the last name as their system doesn't allow for two initials or spaces for extra names which I find ridiculous because a lot of people especially from different countries, ie; Mexico, Spain, have very long names. My social security card will have full legal name, and I have court documents.

So my question is, what documents do I need since my original passport was in a different name then what was on my birth certificate and now I went back to birth name with an added name but my license won't show name correctly without it being part of last name.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it wont even be in correct order on the license. Bottom line is I just want my passport to show the complete full legal name and in the proper order as it shows on my court documents and social security card.

Answer: You must apply for a passport in your current legal name. This requires you submit documentation to prove that the name you are requesting is, in fact, your legal name.

Documents that are accepted include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree or court order. If you do not have one of these, you can submit public records that prove exclusive use of the name for a period of at least 5 years.

Adding the legally changed name to your birth name does not make it legal. If you want to obtain a passport in that name, you must apply for a court ordered name change. Once you have this document, you can request the full name in your passport. Contact the county court office about applying for a name change.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Mailing delays are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks exluding mailing times on the front and back end. Mailing delays may be significant so requesting 1-2-day mailing may greatly help.

Regional passport agencies are offering extremely limited in-person services if you need to travel internationally in the next 5 business days. Those with qualified life-or-death emergencies are prioritized.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 5 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 AM to 5PM, call ET 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, 202-647-4000

You can schedule your appointment up to 2 weeks before your international travel but the date of your appointment must be within 5 business days of your international travel. If you need a foreign visa, the date of your appointment must be within 10 business days of your international travel.

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