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Extra surname space on one passport, not the other-- will this be a problem?

Posted by (Portland, OR) on

I recently applied for an Italian passport and was told that it would be issued with a one word surname: "DEFEVER". Apparently, when I was registered as an Italian citizen last year that's how it was entered in their database.

My U.S. passport has my surname as two words, as is my preference: "DE FEVER"

Will having the extra space on one passport be a bugaboo when traveling to/from Europe with two passports? Italians being, well... Italian, I was told that it would take a "very long time" to get this fixed in the Italian registry, so I've opted to get the passport anyway and hope for the best.

Thanks!

Posted by
10176 posts

Not a biggie. You use your Italian passport entering and exiting Italy at passport control. You use your US passport for entering the US. Choose whichever you want for internal EU travel; I usually use my French ID card and leave my passports in my purse. Just be sure you show the passport that has the same spelling as the plane ticket when checking in. I never show two passports; one is always stashed away.
FYI: French passports and ID cards use maiden names even for married women, whereas my US passport has my married name. I’ve never had a problem. I asked about changing my French documents and was told non madame.

Posted by
8889 posts

I cannot foresee a situation wher you would need to show both, either or depending on which border you are crossing or which country you are in.
It would not matter if the two names where totally different, as nobody sees both apart from you.

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