MARIA a.k.a. MA. --- problem with name

[brave_heart23]

Hi.My case is the spelling of my first name. I have already received my eligibility for NCLEX. But I cannot proceed in registration part since I know that my ATT should match my passport name. The name I have applied is "MA." (which is considered here in the Philippines as an abbrevation of "MARIA". All my legal documents (marriage license, nursing license, etc) has the same name I have indicated in my NCLEX application and eligibility letter.

Now, this is where the problem arise. My birth certificate name indicates "MARIA" instead of what I have been using which is "MA". Passports should follow the name indicated in your birth certificate, right?? If ever I continue to register to BON/Pearson vue, my ATT will indicate "MA." instead of "MARIA". ATT will not match the name indicated in passport, and this is the only identification being accepted. So, most probably they will not let me sit in the exam. Needless to say, exam will be forfeited.

I was advised by our Philippine Local Civil Registry to file a change of name. Meaning, they would change from "MARIA" to "MA." (so, all of my legal documents and NCLEX application would match) I already did. But it would still take 4-6 months before they could release the legal action for the change of first name. Its too long to wait.

I am very frustrated with this case. All I know is that until legal actions for the change of first name is released, then I do not have the problem with my name. Meaning, I will not register for NCLEX exam until I have the proper documents.

But please help me. Is there no other way for me to be able to register even without the legal action document. ??? What supporting documents could I bring? Which agency should I call CA BON???

can i you please advise me. Hear my options if it makes sense at all.:

> Fill up the change of name form then submit it to BON before I register so, that my ATT will match my passport name. (Im still thinking what about my application name for NCLEX). I will file my name as "MARIA" instead of "MA".

> If by God's will I pass and by then I will receive my Legal Action Document from our Local Civil Registry, indicating they have already change my name back to "MA.", CAn I file again for a change of name the second time to BON??? Meaning, I will change my name from what I have previously used??? Haaaah! confusing isnt it.

I am so confused with my own idea. If its not clear on how you can help me, please forgive me. I am so frustrated in explaining. I cannot think anymore on how to put it. My frustration is overwhelming. But I really would appreciate your help. Especially for those people with the same problem as mine. Please, please advise. I badly need it. Thanks!

[lawrence01]

Did you go to Pearson-Vue, Makati yet as I have suggested before? This will enable you to know what their stand on it and it being in PH and the front officer being Filipino and knowing that in PH, "Ma." and "Maria" are used interchangeably all the time. If this were in another country, it might be different. You can go to Pearson-Vue Makati anytime and ask.

Other than the suggestion I already made before, there is nothing I can think of anymore. Maybe others may have an idea. But I always go for the obvious and the simplest first before doing anything else.

*This was the suggestion I made thru PM, a couple of months ago:

If you used MA. in your nclex application and plan to change it to MA. later on then maybe just stick with it.

The "MARIA" in your passport can easily be explained to the desk officer in the NCLEX test center. esp. if it's in the Makati Test center since it is a common occurrence in the Phils. and the desk officer being Filipino will understand this. He or she may not even make a fuss about it since it's a common mistake in the Phils. Just bring along the other documentations as support, including the receipt from the local registry and your other IDs that has either the MA. or the Maria. As soon as they are sure that you are the same person from all the other IDs and documentations then there might be no problems. To be sure, you can visit the Pearson vue test center in Makati and ask the front officer and bring along your passports and other IDs and ask if it will be a problem. You can go there and ask around even if you haven't registered yet, in fact don't register yet until you go there. Once you've clarified everything with them then register w/ the MA.

Just stick w/ the "MA." name in your nclex application, esp. since you are changing it permanently to it in the near future, anyway. Explaining the "Maria" in pearson-vue Makati would be easier. It may not even be an issue, being a common mistake in PH and the front officer being Fil. as well. If this were in HK, it may be an issue.

The above are just my suggestions. The front officer in Makati may give you additional suggestion/advice.

[suzanne4, RN]

Ma. also means Maria in the US.

And I would follow what Lawrence suggested to you several months ago, that is where you should start.

[gemini_star, BSN, RN]

When you leave PI, authentication and immigration officers will be very strict about complete names. Ma. and Maria are not the same. If your name is Ma. Lourdes it is pronounced as "malourdes" not maria lourdes. This happened to my mom. She also did what you did to the civil registry as what you mentioned and filed for a change of name to all her documents or letter stating that ma. lourdes and maria lourdes is just one. Then she requested all her schools to do just that. It takes time. But the right thing would be best for now. Later on, you will be doing the same thing when you leave the country.

[precy]

My friend's passport,school records had "Misa" as her first name. When She applied to PRC for the local board, she found out that her name in the birth certificate was "Miza". What she did was she just go by what is in the the birth certificate. When she renewed her passport, she got a copy of the birth certificate and requested her name to be changed to "Miza". The same thing with the school records... she requested the registrars of her previous schools to change her name with the one indicated in her birth certificate.

[waikiki]

good day!

i also have a question. i knew that i am eligible to take nclex exam. i was ready to register at pearsonvue but then i read that my name should match with the name in my passport. my name in my nclex application form and even in my school papers it is written as for example "Wai Kiki". but in my passport (korean passport), it is written as "WAIKIKI". but in my previous passport, my name was written like "wai kiki" (there is a space). the present passport has no space because in the passport application form, it was written that there should be no space.

what should i do?

the spellings are correct except that there is a space.

how should i register in pearson vue?

should i follow my passport name?

[lawrence01]

good day!

i also have a question. i knew that i am eligible to take nclex exam. i was ready to register at pearsonvue but then i read that my name should match with the name in my passport. my name in my nclex application form and even in my school papers it is written as for example "Wai Kiki". but in my passport (korean passport), it is written as "WAIKIKI". but in my previous passport, my name was written like "wai kiki" (there is a space). the present passport has no space because in the passport application form, it was written that there should be no space.

what should i do?

the spellings are correct except that there is a space.

how should i register in pearson vue?

should i follow my passport name?

Where are you right now? Are you in the Philippines or in Korea?

If asking for my opinion, I would give the same advice I gave to OP. Contact Pearson-Vue, Makati and inquire there or best if you actually go there in person and show the the desk/front officer w/c is the one in-charge of whether to admit or not someone if it will be a problem. Show her your passport as well and another ID that shows the name you registered with the Licensure application. The desk officer would be the best one to answer you.

[lawrence01]

For all others having the same question it is really best, in my opinion, to directly inquire with a Pearson-Vue representative and even better if directly inquire to the one actually in-charge in deciding whether to admit someone or not and this is the person in the prospective Test Center.

I remember taking my NCLEX in HK and went to the test center the day before to check out the best routes going there and paid a visit inside. The desk/front officer even gave me last minute instructions for the next day's exam including signing-in my full name on the passport and even advised me that I can come early in the morning than what my actual time of appointment is because there was one that canceled their appointment for that time slot. They are very helpful and are trained to answer all inquiries for admission inside the test room and she is the one who really decides who goes in or cannot be admitted and not an operator in a Call Center.