Mostly people panic after reading single blog post about potential problem they can face when names mismatch (or empty surname) in passport and send an email or post a comment right away. I received couple questions this week in surname problems (mainly Indians).
Arun Asks
My name is Arun M V. I came to know that last name is important in US. So, did Indian passport will be issued in name format Arun M VXXX. Because the full name Arun MXXX VXXX is too much long. I have all the records as Arun M V. Is the name in GRE,TOEFL should be same as in the University application.
I have seen many people, University Faculty in US of Indian origin have their names in format Arun M VXXX. If the Indian Passport does’nt allow this,how it can be possible?
Or can I give my name as Arun VXXX eliminating my Middle name.
Pankil Asks
I have a problem/confusion. My name is mentioned as
Given Names: Pankil DXXX
Last Name: SXXX in passport.My degrees have it as SXXX Pankil DXXX. I am already in US and working on H1B. So I have SSN which has my first name Last name. Should I be worried about having different names on these documents? I plan to take GMAT by end of 2010. Any information you can provide will be very helpful.
Surname – Passport vs Certificates
In India, we are used to have names with initials, instead of using Full Name. When applying for passport, well those dang travel agents mess up the things, don’t they? Most of us unaware of potential problems that one can run into while applying for GRE Exam, TOEFL, F1 Visa, SSN, Driving License, etc.
Possible Name Combination’s
- Certificates – Arun MV
- Birth Certificate – MV Arun
- College Marksheets – MV Arun
- Documents – Arun V (or MXXX Arun VXXX)
You have to remember this – Name mismatch between passport and certificates not a major problem at all. Thats something that can be will fixed. Don’t worry about changing names in your certificates and documents.
Names in Passport
Having cleared one problem above, lets talk about name’s in the passport. I can think of possible variations
Combination 1 :
- Given Name – Arun
- Middle Name – MXXX
- Surname – VXXX
Combination 2:
- Given Name – Arun MXXX
- Middle Name – Empty
- Surname – VXXX
Combination 3:
- Given Name – Arun M V
- Middle Name – Empty
- Surname – Empty
Of all the above 3 possibilities, the last one is the problematic. As long as you have Surname in your passport, you will not have MAJOR problems. If there is no surname in your passport, stop right here and get your name changes in your passport first before going forward with any application or study abroad process.
Empty (or blank) Surname in Passport equals TROUBLE.
If you already applied (or received) passport without surname, get that fixed. Talk to local passport office to find out passport name chnage procedure and get it done. NOW. You may have additional if’s and buts like
I already booked dates for GRE Exam? What shall I do?
Answer is the same, change the name in passport, rebook GRE again. If you try to save GRE exam fees, you have bigger problems awaiting you.
GRE, TOEFL and College Application
Now, we have cleared 2 issues related to names (documents and passport). Now, lets assume you have passport with surname that doesn’t match with names on your documents.
- GRE, TOEFL, GMAT (or other exams) – Book dates based on name in passport, not documents. Use the name as provided in the passport.
- College Application – Use the name as per passport. Remember that name in your passport will be your identity.
Going forward use the name “as-is” from your passport. It’s absolutely ok to have different names from your degree certificates. Only university is going to use your certificates, but every other department is going to use your passport. Thats one of the reason, you have to include a copy of passport front page with your application documents.
While filling out college application, you will see a question (or similar)
- List other names used in your application documents.
You would have to enter various names used in your documents. If there is no such question, attach additional page to list the various names in different documents. That document must clearly state that documents submitted along with application will have following names, which will be different from the name in the passport.
Bottom line is this
1) Your passport must contain surname (last name); 2) Name in GRE score report should match with name in passport.
Questions? Please comment.
My father’s name is “Ramesh Singh” and Mother’s is “Sunita Singh” in all their documents. We, three children, have different variations of names on our passports, with and without Surname/Lastname.
My passport says, “Ramesh Singh Rana” as my father’s name and “Sunita Singh Rana” as my Mother’s name.
My brother’s passport says, “Ramesh Singh Rana” as my father’s name and “Sunita Singh” as my Mother’s name.
My sister’s passport says, “Ramesh Singh” as my father’s name and “Sunita Singh” as my Mother’s name.
What names should be on my parent’s passports so that they can get dependent visas from USA or Australia or Canada, so that no problems occur during immigration and/or getting dependent visas?
Hi Anand
Could you tell us who’s applying for the visa?
Hi,
My surname in my passport does not match my dad’s name or surname. Will this affect my f1 visa application?
Thanks
Akhila
no problem at all…
my name is in Academic documents as (BATCHU V SAI BALA KRISHNA) but in aadhar and other regional documents it is stated as (BATCHU VENKATA SAI BALA KRISHNA) ,In passport BATCHU IS given as surname which is correct as it is my family name,
So,I’m confused whether is it going to any problem with application of univs,ielts,f1 visa interview?
my name is in Academic documents as (BATCHU V SAI BALA KRISHNA) but in aadhar and other regional documents it is stated as (BATCHU VENKATA SAI BALA KRISHNA) ,In passport BATCHU IS given as surname which is correct as it is my family name,
So,I’m confused whether is it going to any problem with application of univs,ielts,f1 visa interview?
I have 3 names in my passport but the middle name is not included in my academic documents. Is there a problem with that when applying in Canada colleges?
Yes, it might. We suggest you check with the university’s international office.
Hello,
In all my certificates (10th, 12th and degree) and even in my old passport my name is SUSHRUT but later after knowing the importance of last name, I got my name changed to SUSHRUT KUMAR and got a new passport issued in new name. O found that name cannot be changed in certificates. Will this mismatch cause any problem in future?
Thankyou
There won’t by any problems but we suggest you get a certificate/letter from your university stating the mismatch. This letter will come in handy even much later in your life if not now. So we highly suggest getting the letter right away.
Sir,
I am an undergraduate student from Andhra Pradesh.
In all of my certificates(10th,12th,under-graduation,Aadhaar,PAN,Passport,Bank Passbooks), my name is mentioned as GORLE XXXXX and my father name is mentioned as GORLE XXXXXXX. But in all of my father certificates, his name is mentioned as GORLI XXXXXXX. In 2019, I have applied for a Schengen Visa, to attend a Conference but was rejected on the basis of “Information submitted regarding justification of purpose is not reliable” though I have submitted all correct documents.
I am planning to study abroad in 2021, In that process will I face any Visa related problems because of different surnames of my father in his and my certificates?
Hi Arjun
I don’t think the mismatch of surnames in your father’s document would affect your documents for the visa. As long as your surname is consistent in all certificates, it’s totally fine. There is also no rule that your surname should match your father’s name. There are cases in India where people use family or caste names too. This certainly is not a problem at all. Concerning why your visa was rejected before, there might be some other reason, for sure not this.
Hi
Sir/Mam
My Name Is Ashish And I want to Ask you that On my all other Documents apart from 10 th and 12 th cbse marksheet !! My Father and Mothers Surname are not included in my marksheet so if i apply for the passport and it includes my mother/fathers surname !! Will It Be Create Problem for my study visa ? I want to apply for canada !! and if in future i want to call my parents to canada will it be a problem from my end for them to get visas ?
Hi Ashish
It is suggested keeping your name in all documents consistent. Your passport matters the most out of all. If you have any document that doesn’t match your passport, you can get a gazette letter from respective authorities stating you are indeed referred to with the other name. Also make sure, when you apply for a passport, to expand your initials.
Hi my name has intial of my mothers from my birth while all my certificate(school-college) has same, but all my proofs like (athar, driving license, pan) has my fathers name included. But my passport has my mothers name as expansion. Will there be any problem created for my documents and proofs if I apply for visa. Need guidance please!
You’re athar, driving license, pan documents are irrelevant while applying for visa. If possible, I suggest you get these three renamed as per your passport
Hello,
My name in Passport is “X Y Z” and my name is school and degree certificates is “X Z Y”, will that be a problem while applying for VISA and universities? Thankyou.
Hello,
My name is Mohammed Adhil. This is recorded in all the my legal documents such as passport, adhaar, PAN etc. But the name in my educational certificates (10th , 12th, degree, professional courses) are Mohammed Adhil XXXXX XXX ( X being my father’s name) is this an issue while applying for a migration.
My Name on passport and all educational documents is only Shameema in the given name column with surname column blank. Can I add surname to my passport for re issue based on name in aadhar card? And will different names in passport and educational documents cause problems?
We suggest you add your surname to your passport as surnames are important when you travel/live abroad.
My name in 10 and 12 marksheet is Narender Singh XXXX.But in college it is Narender Singh .So tell me what I should do to add my last name
Check with your college administration on this issue. It will be easy for them to make the change in all your college certificates. Do it now before you graduate. If you delay, it will only get complicated.
Hi,
My name is Anurag and I am trying to apply for a student visa. My Mother’s name in educational documents is different as compared to my passports. I have got the Affidavit created and newspaper cutting released.
Her Name on Educational Certificates is – “SW***” and has “RAS***” in identification documents.
Hello Team My name is Yashasvi in my educational documents whereas yashveer Singh in my passport document.Also, I have a gazette notification.
So please let me know will my name change gazette will work for Visa?
It will work if the gazette and passport name matches.
Hello Team I want you to Know that my Surname is two letter word(KM) in Marksheets.I have only legal documents such as adhar card which is also with same surname.Because of this I am unable to apply for pan card because of rules.I dont have any further documets.My family members have different surname than me.Can I change my adhar card surname so I can make legal documents.Will it be OK If My Surname is different in marksheets and in legal documents.If not Help me to how to chnage surname in marksheets.Suggest me what to do.
We suggest you apply for a change of surname in the gazette to keep it consistent across all certificates and ids.
My daughter’s biological father name mentioned in passport but adopted father name mention in educational certificates,is there any problem to get student visa from canada
Hello Sir,
My name is S@@@@ T and I am wishing to change my name to S@@@ S@@@@ S@@@@ – Three names. all my documents from birth certificate, 10th,12th, degree , two experience certificates, aadhar, PAn, Voters all have my name in consistent format as of now . But if I change my name , will it be a problem – and what all documents should i Change my name – since I’m planning to study masters abroad. I havent yet applied for any college abroad or given any exams yet since I’m planning to do after name change. I do understand passport needs to be reissued..but what about my college certificates and high school certificates
I have general query regarding the name of my son at different contexts but I want a unique structure of name all records or passport.
When he was born we named him with a lengthy name BOXXXXXXX MXXXXXXXXXX SXXXXXXX SXXXXXXXX SXX AXXXXX
But when joining in school it was recorded a B M S S S AXXXXX
In all his Transcriptions from 10th to UG the name was recorded as B M S S S AXXXXX
In Aadhar it was B M S S S AXXXXX
Driving license: BMSSS Axxxxx
In passport it was BOXXXXXXX MXXXXXXXXXX SXXXXXXX SXXXXXXXX SXX AXXXXX
Our Family Surname is BXXXXXXXX
My son would like pursue his higher studies at USA or other countries.
He feels that because of this difference in name structure he may face problems during admission process (application may be rejected), visa issue( may be rejected), etc.
To overcome these presumed situations kindly suggest some solutions at the earliest.
If at all, to take new pass port how the name structure should be so that in future he doesn’t have any related problems.
Hi,
I recently got a new passport.
My father’s name is “Shyam Sunder Arora”, in passport it is printed as “Shyamsunder Arora”.
no space between first and middle name. will it create problem in future in getting visa?
Please help me on this. TIA.
I have kind of similar or different case.. I already did my studies in Italy.. Had permit of stay but now as I m in India and get to know the importance of surname outside India. I thought of adding surname to my passport but I m still confused..
As all my educational certification including abroad degree in my given name..
If I add my surname in my passport will it effect my present Schengen visa or others Italian documents
If my name will be different in passport and education certificate will it effect future job visa?
Hi, my name written in my all academic certificate is QUAZI MOSADDECK HOSSAIN. As my surname is Quazi, in passport it written as MOSADDECK HOSSAIN QUAZI. So, during filling form of international job & study, how should I fill my name on there form ?
During filling my international application there is given option like:- GIVEN NAME –
&. FAMILY NAME OR SURNAME –
So, how should I write in application form. Also, will this creat any problem further like during visa. Please let me know . I am serious.
Hi, my name is suhail razak, in my passport its showing like surname:razak and given name:suhail.
My full name is suhail razak which is in all my certificates and aadhaar. Do I need to change my name in my passport.
Your documents are correct in my opinion. Also your passport.
Hi sir can I keep one letter like k as Sur name because all my certificates and proofs my name starts with k like K SAI MITRA so please help me out
No, please expand k in your passport. Else you will have problems in the west countries
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my all education certificate has old surname(including 10,12 and Graduation Degree). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad because of surname miss match?
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my all education certificate has old surname(including 10,12 and Graduation Degree). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad ?
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my all education certificate has old surname(including 10,12 and Graduation Degree). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad ?
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my all education certificate has old surname(including 10,12 and Graduation Degree). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad ?
No problem but please make sure your old name is also mentioned in the new passport
My father name in passport and in 10th certificate is satnam singh and in degree it is satnam singh bhatia would it ill effect in canada visa if i am applying for student visa
Hi sir!
You have clearly mentioned that without a surname, I would fall into trouble while applying for universities in US. On my passport, my name is just “Aditi” without a surname/last name. I am filling the SUNY application right now and when I consulted the authorities, they told me to write “Ms.” as my first name and “Aditi” as my last name. I wanted to know, will it cause trouble for me later if that’s how I apply? I have already taken my TOEFL with the name “Aditi” and no surname. Please guide me through this.
There’s no problem now. Go ahead with your applications. Later, once you’re settled in the new country, visit the nearest Indian Consulate and add the surname.
Sir! I don’t have my surname in my educational documents but I have it written in my passport
Is this going to be a problem if I am applying to an foreign University?
No. but going forward please keep it consistent as mentioned in the passport
My name is Mohammed Adhil. This is recorded in all the my legal documents such as passport, adhaar, PAN etc. But the name in my educational certificates (10th , 12th, degree, professional courses) are Mohammed Adhil XXXXX XXX ( X being my father’s name) is this an issue while applying for a migration.
I don’t have a surname in passport, but in educational documents as i have explained gave a surname.
Hi Team,
I need one clarity, My Mother’s name is Veeramma V, in passport while applying the V expansion is taken as my father’s name i.e Veerabhadrappa V, wherein my the surname is Vadigere.
My and my brother’s passport have vadigere as surname.
Can expansion of surname be husband’s name for my mother’s passport. kindly help
My father has a special designation which was not included in the name of the marksheets and certificates but was included in the passport.
Will it be creating problems?
I want to apply passport without surname could be possible to do that??
Hii I don’t use surname name for all my document But can I use surname for my passport
Yes you can. Considering adding a surname to passport to avoid future headaches
Hi sir my name is Manideep RXXXX where RXXXX is my surname, in my passport i have my name as it is as my real name Manideep RXXxX but in all my other certificaties in 10th 12th i have as Manideep R will i have any problem in visa while i apply for masters in usa
In all academic certificates my Father’s name Md. Shorab Ali but in my passport father’s name Shorab Ali Sheikh. So will it become any problem for getting visa
Hi my name as per educational documets leela xxxx and in other like Aadhaar pan marriage certificate is xxxx leela
What should I do for my passport as we were planning for international work visa
hello,
i have problem my name in all (Xth,XIIth,btech,adhaar,pan card) has name “s.manish reddy” surname as =s
but in passport “seelam manish reddy” surname as = seelam
does this effect in applying universities for ms
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my education certificate has old surname(including 10,12 ) and i have two surnames in my undergraduate marksheets (old surname and new surname). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad ?
Hi sir, I changed my surname through Gazette of India and make passport with new surname but my education certificate has old surname(including 10,12) and my undergraduate marksheet have two surnames(old surname and new surname). Is there any problem if I want to pursue my master in Abroad ?
Sir ,On my passport given and surname kept in a same column(given name-Rahul Kumar) and my Indian documents given name and surname are separately.( give name -Rahul. Surname- Kumar), now I’m studying in aboard and there in aboard college they are follow on passport name , sir ,there can be no problem in India, if there is any problem sir plz can you told me ,if you have any solution. Thank you ?
Hey. A 720 in GMAT, ready to apply to top MiM programs but this name format thing is putting me into depression.
It seems a big mistake studying at Mumbai University.
My name throughout my Birth, 10th, 12th, Aadhar, Passport, etc is SRITAM DAS (FirstName SecondName) but in my Graduation Marksheets from Mumbai University, it’s written as DAS SRITAM SUDHANSHU HEMANGINI (LastName FirstName FatherName MotherName). I mean they assume everyone who’s studying in Maharashtra has Maharashtra Style Naming Format, which is shitty.
I will go to Mumbai University in a few days to apply for a correction but as everyone knows these people won’t get it done soon. Please help what should I do?
Hi!
Sir/Madam,
I hope you are doing well!!
I have a problem that in my 10th, 12th and bachelors certificate my name is mentioned as given name only i.e. no surname while my other documents like passport, driving license and bank passbook has full name long with surname. I am going to apply for Master’s program abroad this year. So, this name mismatch will create problem??
Is getting an affidavit stating the reason for mismatch issue and different name will solve this problem?
In my 10th certificate after my mothers name username is not there but on my password username is there after my mothers name will it effect in applying visa
Sir my name in passport Is Mohammed
My Father and Mothers Surname are not included in my marksheet so if i apply for the passport and it includes my mother/fathers surname !! Will It Be Create Problem for my study visa ?
Hello,
My father’s middle name is missing from my 12th marksheet, rest all my educational certificates and passports have my father’s name, middle name , surname. But in 12th marksheet only my father’s name and surname is there(middle name missing) . Will it create a problem if i want to apply for visa in UK or Canada or US. Or even while applying to universities in those countries?
Hi sir
My name in all certificates as G.SWAMULU and in the passport my name as GOPALA SWAMULU. is this change in initial and surname will effect for me to study in the abroad.please suggest me sir
Hello sir, my mother’s name in my passport is jyothi YYY. But my mother’s name in my 10th and 12th marks card is jyothi ZZZ. Will it create a problem for applying F1 student visa?
Hello Sir, I have my name as S K V Chaitanya Podagatlapalli in all my educational documents and other ID proofs but in my passport, my name was given as Surya Kamesh Venkata Chaitanya Podagatlapalli. So, would you suggest me to change my name in the passport or not?
My passport : given name (first name) Sanjay surname mehata and my father frist name Shiva Rama surname Mehata in my all certificates (10th 12th and Degree) Sanjay M and my father name M Shiva Rama. It will be getting problem on US visa ( work permit or student visa) please advice
My passport : given name first name Sanjay surname Mehta and my father first name Shiva Rama surname Mehta but my all certificates (10th 12th and Degree) Sanjay M and my father name M Shiva Rama. It will be getting problem on US visa work permit or student visa please advice
Hello Sir,
My details on my Passport:
Name: Muhammad Tehami
Father’s name: Intezar
My details on my educational documents:
Name: Muhammad Tehami
Father’s name: Intezar Ul Haq
Please tell me will I have any problem while applying for Germany or US visa?
Hello sir, my 10th,12th marksheets have my surname as CHEEXXXXXX because it was mentioned same in my birth certificate. But my parents’ documents, my aadhar, pan, passport have my surname as CHIXXXXXXX. I want to go to US for my masters in 2023. Will this be a problem? If yes, how do I rectify it?
Hi in all my acadamic certificate sur name was sudha.s.nair , but after marraige when applied for passport its changed to sudha ramesh , now i am planning for a migration as a student could , could i face any problem
Hi,
My name is irsh××× and surname is ××× ×××× in my passport. on my 10th, +2th , birth certificate it is written single name irshath I while on other certificate from western foreign med university written my name irsh××× ××× ××××. Will I get any problem when I pursue eligibility certificate fmge intern etc. Please help me out
Hi,
My name is irsh××× and surname is ××× ×××× in my passport. on my 10th, +2th , birth certificate it is written single name irshath I while on other certificate from western foreign med university written my name irsh××× ××× ××××. Will I get any problem when I pursue eligibility certificate fmge intern etc. Please help me out
Can I use my first name as my last name in making an Indian passport?
Hello sir,
I want to apply for a change of surname, because I need sponsorship letter form my dad who has a different surname entirely due to traditions . Will this change of surname affect my application for masters in any school in Germany
hello team macha
my father’s name in all my documents is k V####### Rao. Here k is surname initial letter. should i expand surname or keep as it is in passport
if i expanded surname it show’s as V###### Rao K#######, which is mismatch to my documents. pls help me what shouls i write pls give me sug