It’s always advisable to check the name on your U.S. passport when you receive it. You must look for wrong genders, misspelled names, wrong dates or places of birth and other wrong identifiers. Doing so enables you to travel knowing that your passport matches your identification details. But what if you find your name spelled wrong on passport?
Can You Travel with a Misspelled Name on Passport?
Sometimes, people come to us and ask, “I have a misspelled name on passport; can I still travel? The answer is yes and no because it depends on the extent of the spelling mistake. For example, if your name is Annette and the passport reads Annett, you can likely travel with the passport. Once you return to the U.S., you can apply for a data change. But if the misspelling is more evident, you must correct the passport.
There is no guarantee that you can travel with a misspelled name on passport as some airlines may not accept you onboard. You can play it safe by carrying an extra ID to prove your identity. But even then, you can face issues when leaving and returning to the U.S.
How to Deal with a Misspelled Name on Passport
Correcting data errors is free of charge if you have a valid passport. You will need to present the passport agency with the following documents:
- Form DS-5504,
- Your current passport,
- Two colored passport photos, and
- Proof of the error, e.g., an acceptable ID that shows the correct name spelling.
Suppose you correct the name error within one year of getting your passport. Your corrected passport will have a ten-year validity. But if this time has lapsed, the corrected passport will have the expiration date of the incorrect passport. Thus, if your passport is near its expiry date, you may consider renewing it.
Once you get the corrected passport, ensure the name, date and place of birth, gender, and other details are accurate. Then sign the first page of the passport for it to be valid.
