Can I Omit Middle Name on a Passport?

When you are applying for a passport or any other travel ID, it is important to know what kind of information is needed. Most forms need your full name with first, middle, and last name. But some only ask for your first and last name. Can you leave out your middle name? To find out the answer, we need to look at what the government needs when giving a passport.

Can I Omit a Middle Name on a Passport?

When you apply for a passport, you will need to give documents that show who you are. For example, first-time applicants provide birth certificates that show they are citizens of the U.S. You also need to have identification, like a driver’s license. People renewing their passports use their most recent passport as proof.

The documents must match the information on your passport application. This means if your middle name is in those documents, then it should be on your passport too, but not spelled out all the way – just an initial is fine instead.

If you don’t include your middle name on your passport, it can cause problems when boarding international flights because they will not let you board without it, even though domestic airlines might be okay with it.

Does Middle Name Matter on Legal Documents?

To make sure your signatures are official and legal, do not include any middle name or suffix. It does not matter if you put the middle name or suffix on documents that have an SS-5 (Social Security Number Card Application).

Do You Have to Put Your Middle Name on Passport?

No, you cannot leave out your middle name on your passport if it appears in other documents. Your passport must match the details on other documents according to government standards. You can use the first letter of your middle name instead of writing it out fully.

If you have questions about what should be included in the passport application, the U.S. Passport Help Guide can help you.