Woman can’t get passport after making ‘Tinkerbell the real Goddess’ middle name
‘I felt that the examiner at the passport office was mocking me.'
A London woman who changed her changed her middle name to ‘Tinkerbell the real Goddess’ is outraged that she has been left waiting six months for a passport.
Natalie Bell, 41, first applied for the document in September but has still not received one after questions were raised around copyright issues with her unusual new name.
Ms Bell, from Fulham, claims the passport office were ‘laughing at her’ and said: ‘Someone at the passport office is making it more difficult than they should. Of course there are rules but as long as it’s not derogatory it shouldn’t be a problem.’
In August, she legally changed her middle name from Simone to TinkerbelltherealGoddess and applied for a new passport shortly after – as she was planning to visit her grandparents abroad.
She explained: ‘They’re old and they live in Jamaica. They’re in their 80s and 90s. It’s important I get out there.’
But, despite providing the necessary documents, the passport office suggested she needed permission from Disney, the copyright holders of the name Tinkerbell.
She contacted them and after two months were told it’s not Disney related and that they didn’t have an issue with her using the name unless it was for advertising purposes.
Having gone back to the passport office she was then asked to go speak to Great Ormond Street Hospital, who actually own the copyright to Peter Pan.
They assured Ms Bell that there was no issue from them as long as she did not use the name to raise money.
She then went back to the passport office – who told her to go back to Disney.
Ms Bell said: ‘It’s ridiculous. I can’t keep going back and forth about this.
‘I felt that the examiner at the passport office was mocking me. I heard giggles during the conversation.
‘They were laughing at me.’
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We do not routinely comment on individual cases.’
The passport application rules state: ‘An application using an existing trade or commercial name will require the applicant to provide written confirmation from the owner of that trademark or copyright that they consent to the use of that name or confirmation that the name in the public domain is not subject to any copyright or trademark restrictions.’
Ms Bell says she change her name because she loves all things magical.
She continued: ‘You can see why I call myself Tinkerbell. I have a love for Disney and the fairy world.
‘I wanted to change my name because I’ve been through a lot, certain experiences that make me think “Why the hell not?”
‘I’ve survived so much and it’s something really close to my heart.’
According to the Deed Poll Office, renewing your passport after a name change should only take three weeks.
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