What Name should be used for a Passport?

[bj21]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY

An 82 year old friend of mine recently expressed interest in obtaining a U.S. Passport Card because he'd like to visit some Canadian casinos.

The other day when he went to apply he took his I.D. and completed Passport Application and picked up a copy of his Birth Certificate on his way to the Post Office.

The Post Office refused to accept his application because his I.D. and Passport Application showed his first name as Anthony... and his Birth Certificate listed his first name as Antonio.

I told him that I thought his only option would be to apply for a new State I.D. in the name of Antonio, and then use that I.D. to apply for his Passport.

He told me the clerk at the Post Office told him to go to the church where he was baptized and see if the priest would change the name on his Birth Certificate... this doesn't make any sense to me. I could see the church possibly being able to change the first name on his Baptismal Certificate, but I don't think that would get him anywhere.

Currently, everything he has (including State I.D., Social Security & VA Benefits) shows his first name as Anthony.

Could anyone out there give their advice on what would be the best way to handle this situation?

Thanks, in advance, to all those who take the time to help!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[tryingtoplease]

This exact same thing happened to my husband in Feb. We were applying for passports for the 1st time & didn't want any delays so I made sure everything was perfect. I closely read his birth certificate for the 1st time in 20 years & found his name listed differently on it than what he'd gone by his whole life. After being on hold for a while, I was informed that all he had to do was bring in 3 legal documents listing his name as what he had used all his life. We had a DD214 (Army Discharge), marriage certificate, our kid's birth certificates, Social Security card, driver's license, etc. So it's really pretty easy to get the passport issued in his current name if he has at least 3 of those documents. Good luck in getting his passport & enjoying a little winning at those Canadian casinos (Windsor probably, eh?) in his twilight years.

[bj21]

To typingtoplease,

Thanks for the information, I'll be sure to pass it on to my friend and I think he'll be very pleased.

As far as the casinos he wants to visit...

#1.) Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ont. (he's never been to this one)

#2.) Casino Niagara (also in Niagara Falls, Ont.)

Thanks, again!

[bj21]

Sorry, I meant to tryingtoplease !