Thread: Birth Certificate question HELP!!!

OK...here's the story. My birth certificate, which I just got a brand new, official copy of...says my name is Louise Ann. This I've known all my life, BTW. My drivers license, marriage certificate and everything else on Gods green earth for almost 50 years now, says my name is Luanne. It has NEVER been an issue before. Now, after posting this question on another cruise message board I'm getting the feeling it WILL be an issue and I may not be allowed back into the country!!!!!! Does anyone have an informed answer for me? If I change my drivers license then I have to sign my name as Louise Ann, which I never do and then THAT matches nothing...like checks, credit cards, etc!! HELP!!!!! Who would I talk to to get an answer that would be official?? I don't know a lawyer. I'm freakin' out here!!!!

I'm assuming Luanne is a nickname that became your "new" name over the last 50 years?

You may want to contact the cruise line and see what they feel you should do. It may also be that you might want to get a passport matching your BC...then when you travel, use your original name on your documents, but go about your day-to-day life with your acquired name....

Good luck!

If you are using your birth certificate as your ID, you might want to change the name on your reservation to match it. But that should be the ONLY thing that you have to worry about.

As Jodi suggests, I would also call the cruise line and explain that although you were named Louise, you have been Luanne almost your whole life, and what do you need to do.

You may not need to do a thing. My husband's name is Phillip, and while it is on his birth certificate and passport, but all our reservations always say Phil.

I'm guessing you don't have a passport, since you usually need a birth certificate to get one. If you are using the BC that way, they will probably just put Louise (Ann) on the passport, but you can ask them to say Luanne. If they do that, then no one will care about your BC.

It states all the names are to match. Did you legally change your name? If not you legally are still Louise Ann. My name is Angela, and that is what is on my BC, DL, all legal docs and how I sign my name on checks, but I always go by Angie.

Even if the Cruise line says not to worry, if it were me I would go get my DL changed to match the BC. After the cruise you could always change it back and then get everything in order. Starting next year you need Passports to travel out of the US, and even then then want your legal name on the PP, not what you go by, so you may wnat to change your name legally.

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

If you are using your birth certificate as your ID, you might want to change the name on your reservation to match it. But that should be the ONLY thing that you have to worry about.

As Jodi suggests, I would also call the cruise line and explain that although you were named Louise, you have been Luanne almost your whole life, and what do you need to do.

You may not need to do a thing. My husband's name is Phillip, and while it is on his birth certificate and passport, but all our reservations always say Phil.

I'm guessing you don't have a passport, since you usually need a birth certificate to get one. If you are using the BC that way, they will probably just put Louise (Ann) on the passport, but you can ask them to say Luanne. If they do that, then no one will care about your BC.

I've just printed out the application for a passport, I'll go to the post office in the area that handles it on Tuesday morning. I don't really care if my passport says my name is Luanne or Louise, I'll just be sure to sign it that way! I don't want to change my drivers license because then it doesn't match anything else! I did call Princess and the cust svc rep said it 'probably' wouldn't be a problem, but if I go by that....well, where will he be when they're trying to hold me in a Jamaican Jail or something????

I just want all this resolved! I just pray that the passport comes in time...I've got 2 months and 3 days from today. I just hope they will accept my DL and BC with the two different names on them for the passport!!!!

Originally Posted by JodiBB

I'm assuming Luanne is a nickname that became your "new" name over the last 50 years?

You may want to contact the cruise line and see what they feel you should do. It may also be that you might want to get a passport matching your BC...then when you travel, use your original name on your documents, but go about your day-to-day life with your acquired name....

Good luck!

I can't even say that it's a 'nickname' that became my 'new' name. The name on the BC was really done more for convienence, so to speak, to get me a saints name to be baptized! The Luannne that I go by is what my parents truly wanted all along! (And to tell the truth...the whole saints name thing...I truly believe she was given false information. I suppose, way back in 1956, you didn't dare question the church though!!!!)

Good luck, Luanne, and let us know what happens!
I'm sure you are NOT the first person this has ever happened to, and you surely won't be the last.

I don't understand how your license, SS card, etc has a different name than what is on your birth certificate?? Your birth certificate is your legal name and the other documents should be too as you need the BC to get your license, SS card, etc. I just don't get it.

In any case, I wouldn't take the chance either. Better safe than sorry. A passport is the way to go.

kitty

Edited to add PS

BTW...i saw the answer to my question over on the "dark side".

Originally Posted by alphakitty

I don't understand how your license, SS card, etc has a different name than what is on your birth certificate?? Your birth certificate is your legal name and the other documents should be too as you need the BC to get your license, SS card, etc. I just don't get it.

In any case, I wouldn't take the chance either. Better safe than sorry. A passport is the way to go.

kitty

Edited to add PS

BTW...i saw the answer to my question over on the "dark side".

It's just never been an issue! I guess since 9/11 everything has gotten way stricter...which is a good thing...but not so much right now!! I went the passport office today, at the main post office, and brought LOTS of stuff with me. I told him the whole story and he couldn't have been nicer to me. He took my original BC to send in with the app (they always do that) and copies of my Drivers License, marriage certificate, medical insurance card, car insurance card and...surprisingly, somehting that JUST came in the mail yesterday....a copy of a report from SS with my earnings to date. ALL this is in the name of Luanne except for my BC. He also had me write a statement that says I've been known as Luanne all my life. For good measure I threw in that all school, job, bank and credit records are in that name and that Louise shows only on my BC and baptismal certificate. I had to sign it, of course, and put my birthday. He recommended I use expedited service, which is about 2 1/2 weeks, just in case something else is needed or needs to be done. So, I coughed up the big bucks and now we wait and watch the mail. I could use prayers and good vibes and anything else you can send my way!

Originally Posted by craftinmom

I could use prayers and good vibes and anything else you can send my way!

Luanne....good vibes, fingers crossed and postivie thoughts that all works out