ESTA help - middle names

[Redsnapper]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

There's no 'black box', there is a '?' alongside some questions which the DHS expect applicants to hover over and read, the 'Sample Passport' diagram/text adjoins the name question, the DHS expect one to take time to read/complete per instruction. My blocker software doesn't change/remove ESTA application layout.

The DHS aren't asking too much in return for approval to travel via the visa waiver program; thoroughly read the application and abide.

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Does "one" really need to use that condescending tone on a website that is all about helping people?

I was relying to the poster that suggested a "black box" instantly appears when you enter that field - it didn't - as has already been confirmed by someone else.

Can do without your snotty "advice" thx.

[PPM]

Originally Posted by johnb

I believe the 'black box' is a fairly recent change.

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I get the black box on an iPad, iPhone and PC , just tried it again today.

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Redsnapper

Does "one" really need to use that condescending tone on a website that is all about helping people?

I was relying to the poster that suggested a "black box" instantly appears when you enter that field - it didn't - as has already been confirmed by someone else.

Can do without your snotty "advice" thx.

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I’m that poster and the box does appear on my iPhone, iPad and PC.. The “?” Button has gone softer the latest update. also the big box on the right hand side advises what to do, so that’s an alternative. If one or both of these are ignored then the ESTA may not ne correctly filled in unless the applicant has no middle name.

[EssexSue]

Why don't they just put name(s) on the form it's ridiculous. Of course someone is making money out of all those redoing their forms she says cynically.
I'm sure no-one has been refused permission to fly - yet - but if it does happen it's going to hit the headlines that's for sure!

[PPM]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

Why don't they just put name(s) on the form it's ridiculous. Of course someone is making money out of all those redoing their forms she says cynically.
I'm sure no-one has been refused permission to fly - yet - but if it does happen it's going to hit the headlines that's for sure!

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They won’t get refused for that until the authorities announce that they are going to enforce it. From then on new applications would be subject to that rule. It wouldn’t be retrospective.

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Redsnapper

Does "one" really need to use that condescending tone on a website that is all about helping people?

I was relying to the poster that suggested a "black box" instantly appears when you enter that field - it didn't - as has already been confirmed by someone else.

Can do without your snotty "advice" thx.

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It didn’t appear possibly due to your blocker software as you mentioned earlier ?
Did you try again with that disabled?

[diddldonna]

I nearly went into a panic as did the photo of my passport and it read my details and filled it, but I didn't think to check if it done my middle name.
Anyway it was easy for me to go back in and check with my details and it shows my full name including middle. So if you can't remember if you have done it just go in and check and it should show on the approval bit. Hope that helps someone.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Redsnapper

Does "one" really need to use that condescending tone on a website that is all about helping people?

I was relying to the poster that suggested a "black box" instantly appears when you enter that field - it didn't - as has already been confirmed by someone else.

Can do without your snotty "advice" thx.

See more...

Oh dear, as you posted 'I believe this is a non issue only hyped up by a few individuals on this board', others made you DHS update aware. As for my being condescending or snotty, I wasn't, but as I don't want to disappoint let me oblige just a tad... if you can't be chowed to thoroughly read the official ESTA application before completing, and then attempt lame transfer of blame when you realise you haven't abided by DHS rules that's your issue to resolve, not the US, not the DHS, not those advising the update. Yes, the update has yet to be enforced, will it be? Who knows, but whatever the US decide doesn't detract from abiding by the DHS update.

[MrFish]

The crux of the matter is that the form is broken. Nobody should have to click a question mark next to a box unless they need help, which for first given name most people do not need help, hopefully. They just need to add an 's' to the form. If it wasn't broken there there wouldn't be so many people having problems filling it in. And im talking thousands of people here not one or two.

These threads always get derailed because people panic and come here looking for reassurance but are faced with the same condescending tones "well it's clearly marked", "you should click every single question mark".

The form is broken. Nobody needs to argue about it. We know the official line is enter your middle name.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by MrFish

The crux of the matter is that the form is broken. Nobody should have to click a question mark next to a box unless they need help, which for first given name most people do not need help, hopefully. They just need to add an 's' to the form. If it wasn't broken there there wouldn't be so many people having problems filling it in. And im talking thousands of people here not one or two.

These threads always get derailed because people panic and come here looking for reassurance but are faced with the same condescending tones "well it's clearly marked", "you should click every single question mark".

The form is broken. Nobody needs to argue about it. We know the official line is enter your middle name.

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No one has to click the question mark. There isn't a question mark any more.

Instead, it automatically pops up a message when you put your cursor in the Given Name field telling you all you need to know. The given name field has to match the one in your passport.

Of course, it's up to the individual whether they choose to actually read the information on the form or not. But right now the form isn't broken (and, in my opinion, never was. YMMV).

ETA: This is what pops up as soon as you select the "First (Given) Name" field in the form before typing your name. There is no question mark any more and therefore no need to click it:

It also says at the very top of that section the following:

"Refer to your passport and enter all information in the same format".

That's there permanently and doesn't just pop up. I assume people are doing what it says and entering all information as it appears in their passport - including the given name field.

There's also a box at the side of the form with more information to help people correctly fill in their passport details into this section (it covers other info and not just the given name field). As with all forms, you should be reading that information as well. I'd hope people read all information on forms - and not just the headings - when filling them in.