Omitted surname

• Assume the child's surname is the same as the father's absent information to the contrary.

• If the father's name is not shown, assume the child's surname is the same as the mother's surname.

• If the alleged surname at birth does not match the assumed surname, the discrepancy is major (see GN 00302.470 for required development.)

Different spelling of the same name

• Mary Ann/Marianne

• Catherine/Katherine

• John/Jon

Nickname commonly derived from the name

• Sarah/Sally

• Theodore/Ted

• Edward/Ned

English equivalent of a foreign given name

• Pablo/Paul

• Guillermo/William

• Elsa/Alice

  NOTE: Questionable situations may be resolved by consulting the reference entitled "Foreign Versions, Variations and Diminutives of English Names" in the PC reference room.

Simplified versions of a foreign surname

• Don Giovanni/Giovanni

• Del Leon/Leon

• Von Burgdorf/Burgdorf

  NOTE: Be careful when assessing the difference in a person's surname. If the surname on the record is very different from the one the claimant uses (e.g., Jelieniweski/Jelen; Abramowitz/Abrams) the discrepancy is major (see GN 00302.470 for required development).

Birth or religious record amended by the official custodian to add an omitted given name or to change a given name

The difference is minor if:

• The record was amended at least 5 years before the current filing date, or

• A more recent amendment is shown on the record to be based on a 5-year old (or older) document, and

• In the case of a given name change, the basis for the change is shown on the record.

  NOTE: When the amended record is for a child who is under age 5, the supporting documentation shown on the record may be less than 5 years old.

  However, where there is no supporting documentation for the addition of the name for a child under age 5, or where the birth record was amended recently based on recent evidence, the discrepancy is major (see GN 00302.470).