Hey folks!

I'm applying for a new passport! I'm so excited. Anyway, I divorced several years ago. It asks me the question about if I've ever been married / divorced. Of course, it asks my ex wife's name. I have NO CLUE whether or not she reverted back to her maiden name, kept my last name or if she remarried. We are not on speaking terms nor do I wish to be (legally, she's been warned about harassing me). So, do I put my last name down (she did take it) or what her maiden name is? Both?

Thanks a bunch!

What�s her name on the divorce paperwork?

I would use use that one. It�s justifiable, you can defend it with paperwork, and it�ll be an alias on any public record anyway.

Ooops...misread your comment. Yeah, the divorce paperwork shows my last name.

I agree with mdkowals: go with the divorce paperwork. It's the last known name that you knew her as.

Is this a new thing? I don't remember ever seeing this question. Why on earth would they need to know unless you had changed your name?

wg

I have no clue idea why. The paperwork makes no differentiation on husband or wife regarding name change. I just find it mildly amusing they want this information anyway.

Huh? I do not see anywhere it even asks if you are married,divorced, single on the application for a passport renewal.

https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82.pdf

Where on what form do you see this question? Provide a link if you can.

There is a place where it asks if YOU have used any other names. Are you perhaps getting confused by that? It refers only to YOU, not your ex-wife.

NEW passport.

You're quoting from DS-82, the form for renewals. Line 11 on DS-11, the form for passports to new individuals, asks the question.

It's question 11 on form DS11 for new passports.

https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.pdf

As for the purpose, I'm betting it links to child support requirements. If you have over $2500 in outstanding in child support payments outstanding you're not eligible for a new passport.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...d-support.html

^^ this. Thankfully, I have custody of my daughter and this is a non-issue. Actually, before I had custody of her, I did pay child support. As of a week ago, I FINALLY paid off arrears from YEARS AGO. My attorney told me to wait a month before I apply for a new passport. I won't be applying until the 20th of next month. I just wanted all of the paperwork together before I attend my appointment at the post office.

I think this begs another set questions:

BIRTH CERTIFICATE:
I have both the original and a copy. I'm understanding the State Department can just accept a copy of it or do I need to bring the original along with me to the appointment anyhow?

DIVORCE DECREE:
To prove the original post, I have both a copy and an original from the courthouse. Do I need to bring both?

Thanks, yall!

Stick with information backed up by paperwork. Whatever her name is on the divorce decree (or whatever it is called in your state) is the name you should supply. DOS is not asking you to go out and do research into whether she has changed her name and, if so, to what.

If it so happens that DOS asks you to justify the answer, you have an attested (hopefully) copy of the Decree handy.

Deleted. Already responded to by others.

Last known legal name is ok.

All that blocking doesn't apply to me; I have custody of my daughter. And before I had custody of her, I paid off everything! My lawyer told me to wait a month before I send in the application just so he can ensure that (two) states have complied and not have any blocks. I've had custody for three years. He's right; don't trust HHS to remove any old stuff.