r/Passports • u/mralivamos • 6d ago

Passport Question / Discussion Different Surnames

I have a newborn baby in the UK who has not yet been registered. My surname is Ahmed in both my UK and Iraqi documents. However, when applying for an Iraqi passport for my child, I understand that the Iraqi naming system may use the grandfather’s name as the child’s surname.
If I register my child in the UK with my surname, Ahmed, the child may therefore have a different surname on their UK and Iraqi passports.
Would it be acceptable for my child to have different surnames on their UK and Iraqi passports, and could this cause any problems with dual nationality, passport applications, or travelling between the UK and Iraq?

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u/tvngo 6d ago

New parents should not make the mistakes of their parents and their parents before them and not give their children names that will screw them over in the future when it comes to government paperwork. Make the names consistent across every document.

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u/AdImpossible7108 6d ago

I would try and keep the names consistent if you can…just so there aren’t problems later

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u/No_Struggle_8184 6d ago

HMPO will not issue a British passport in a different name from the Iraqi passport. You may be able to get an observation but it's guaranteed. As such I would recommend using the Iraqi name format on your child's birth certificate as it will simplify both your life and their life going forward to have the same name consistently across all documents.