Using maiden name as middle name

After I got married ( in US) I took my husband's last name as my last name and I changed my middle name to my maiden name. When I went to apply for Polish passport after the name change they told me I have to register my marriage and name change in my hometown in Poland. I had my mom do that and later found out they only registered the change of my last name. When I asked about the change of my second name they seemed all confused and insisted the name was recorded correctly. Later my mom spoke to someone at registry office and they told her I can't use my maiden name as my second name. What can I do now? All my documents here in the States are under those names and now my name here does not match record in Poland. Has anyone ever dealt with this? Consulate in US says my hometown registry office needs to deal with it but they aren't helpful. Now I can't apply for Polish passport. Who should I reach out to sort this out?

Well, this is weird, to be honest... Why did you do that?


But earlier in your post you wrote that you changed your second name to your maiden name...
Sorry, but this is confusing...


I have no idea, I'm afraid... I've never heard of something like that... Maybe contact a Polish lawyer who's dealing with such stuff...

@Paulina
I wanted to keep my maiden name but not have to use four names. Since I never used my second name (or liked it for that matter) I thought it would be a good way to preserve my maiden name.

I have lived in US since I was a teen- basically my whole adulthood. I never thought this would be an issue in Poland. For people living in Poland or having strong ties in Poland this may seem weird to me it's weird that it wouldn't be allowed or it would be a problem. Obviously it was not an issue when I changed a name here.

You may need to change your name in Polish records to what it is in reality now.

Unfortunately they have a weird rule in Poland that you have to ask the permission of a judge to change your own name!

I've no idea why they'd have that rule however a friend changed his name for personal reasons and although it took some time, it wasn't expensive.

@Paulina
Yes, I reached out to a lawyer in Poland. Hopefully they will be able to help.

@jon357
oh wow. The Polish administration I reached out to is not very helpful. The main manager who is in charge of name changes acts like she doesn't want to deal with it and her assistant told my mom I can't do that and suggested I changed my papers here in the States so that they match the "wrong" name they recorded in Poland!!!?? I am at a loss. Do you know who would be a correct department, agency to contact about it? I want to keep the name I chose not one they incorrectly registered in Poland and now making me accept as is.

Definitely a lawyer, as Paulina says. It should be easy to find one in the city in question, and as far as I know it's straightforward.

My friend who did it had to give a reason for changing his name to the judge (a lawyer would help with this) and was there himself. A lawyer should be able to advise if you need to go in person of if they can do it for you. I do t think it costs much however I remember he had to wait a while to get a court date.

Good luck!

Ah, I see, now I get it...
I'm not sure if it will help in your situation, but you can simply get rid off the second name in Poland:

bezprawnik.pl/usuniecie-drugiego-imienia/

In GB you also have to turn to court if you want to have you new name registered in public records. It is called deed poll.

No, you don't. The U.K. has no central identity register.


All a deed poll is is a document that you can write yourself and which should be witnessed by 2 people over 18. You don't even need to use a lawyer and you only need to send a copy to the court (enrol it) if you want to publicise the change or if you're changing the name of a minor.

You don't however need to send the document to the court for any other reason. An unenrolled deed pol is accepted for passports, driving licences, tax etc.

That`s what I meant in post 9. See?? I mentioned the court and you do too. :):):)

But in Britain you can`t change your name to Prince Charles. Ha!

Except of course people don't need to use one in the U.K. or even send documents to one. Most people who change their name don't involve a court.


Titles are regulated by law, so no, Nor can you use punctuation marks.


Ha indeed, since I doubt a Polish court would let you change your name to Papież Jan Pawel Drugi.

Exactly, they won`t.
But still Britain isn`t so much better than Poland if you can`t be Prince Charles. Ha!!!

It is better when a court decides about the change, even if is it against sb`s whimsical fancy - in this way the country can avoid being polluted with silly names like Radiator, Kettle or Boiler. hahahaha

For changing names it certainly is.


You'd need an ear transplant for that, and a life of service.

Yes, but the result is laughable - a crazy Brit can choose Pink Kettle for his or her new name. hahahaha

Why not? Some names are funny and some people like having them.

I changed my own to a more boring one, however of someone wants to be called an exotic name, why not?

If so, then let them change at will. :):):)

They can, providing people don't use punctuation marks, attempt to claim titles or ecclesiastical ranks.

And of course those rules only refer to making a deed poll. You can use pretty well any name you like in day to day life, employment, politics etc.

Your previous one had been Kevin Mosquito??? :):):)

It was Zbigniew Ziobro. I got sick of people asking if my laptop was wet

Zee Zee in short. I would have kept it if I were you, :):):)