ESTA help - middle names

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Lisa29

It says given names on this picture, not first given name like it says on the ESTA site. That is where my confusion came as my first given name is not my first name and middle name.

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Again it says so in the help tool at the question.
It explains it all on the form. You just need to press the ? button as many others have said.
If you were confused as you said, did you press that button to get help?
I understand that it’s easy to miss, and I’m asking this in the hope of it being of benefit to those who haven’t already done their ESTA, not to the detriment of yourself Lisa.

[gjdjud]

Originally Posted by Woody252506

See post 17 of this thread

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...5#post13686515

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Yes but that's from January. I had a reply in March stating it should be as on my passport.

Not that I'm saying anyone without the middle name will have a problem.

[nuff70]

We renewed our ESTA’s in January and didn’t add middle names. We went to Florida on 19th March and had no problems at all.

[Mexy02]

Originally Posted by Burgmeister

Actually, it doesn't. What it says is Given names (plural)

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I think you are just being picky if I’m honest . It clearly means what it says on your passport in that box . My mum has only one name but it still days given names . So basically the esta is pointing you to the same box on your passport and it’s suppose to match it .

[Mexy02]

Originally Posted by Lisa29

It says given names on this picture, not first given name like it says on the ESTA site. That is where my confusion came as my first given name is not my first name and middle name.

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When I did our estas last week it just said given name on the application , it said nothing about “first” given name , hence the post to help others not to nit pick.

[Burgmeister]

Originally Posted by Mexy02

I think you are just being picky if I’m honest . It clearly means what it says on your passport in that box . My mum has only one name but it still days given names . So basically the esta is pointing you to the same box on your passport and it’s suppose to match it .

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No, I wasn't being picky I was just pointing out that the passport nomenclature and the ESTA site are different. Your post implied they were identical - that's all.

It appears that you are very keen that everyone adds their middle name to the ESTA despite no evidence from anyone travelling that it really is required. Obviously, you have added your middle names to your ESTAs and that is great - you definitely won't have any issues getting in (as far as that requirement anyway). However, if people are happy that they will still get in despite not havng their middle names on their ESTAs (as has been the case with everyone so far) then that is their choice.

Although this is just conjecture, I would expect that the requirment is to reduce the number of false flags of people on the "No fly" list causing unneccesary work for CBP and unnneccesary delays for passengers. If you include all of your middle names then it is less likely that you will match someone with the same first name and surname that is on the "no fly" list. This actually happened to an old boss of mine that was delayed for 3 hours due to his first and last names matching someone on the list. He still got in but it was inconvenient for him and wasted a lot of time for the CBP officers dealing with it.

It would be a lot easier if the ESTA website simply said "All given names" rather than relying on someone to hover over the "?". After all, most people are aware of what their first given name is so wouldn't necessarily bother to seek further assistance.

[Lisa29]

Originally Posted by PPM

Again it says so in the help tool at the question.
It explains it all on the form. You just need to press the ? button as many others have said.
If you were confused as you said, did you press that button to get help?
I understand that it’s easy to miss, and I’m asking this in the hope of it being of benefit to those who haven’t already done their ESTA, not to the detriment of yourself Lisa.

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Sorry, I shouldn't have used the word confusion.

I know my first given name, so I did not feel the need to click on the question mark. Had it said first given names, I would have clicked the question mark to see if it meant middle names.

I don't see why they can't amend the website to say first given names rather than first given name.

[Lisa29]

Originally Posted by Burgmeister

No, I wasn't being picky I was just pointing out that the passport nomenclature and the ESTA site are different. Your post implied they were identical - that's all.

It appears that you are very keen that everyone adds their middle name to the ESTA despite no evidence from anyone travelling that it really is required. Obviously, you have added your middle names to your ESTAs and that is great - you definitely won't have any issues getting in (as far as that requirement anyway). However, if people are happy that they will still get in despite not havng their middle names on their ESTAs (as has been the case with everyone so far) then that is their choice.

Although this is just conjecture, I would expect that the requirment is to reduce the number of false flags of people on the "No fly" list causing unneccesary work for CBP and unnneccesary delays for passengers. If you include all of your middle names then it is less likely that you will match someone with the same first name and surname that is on the "no fly" list. This actually happened to an old boss of mine that was delayed for 3 hours due to his first and last names matching someone on the list. He still got in but it was inconvenient for him and wasted a lot of time for the CBP officers dealing with it.

It would be a lot easier if the ESTA website simply said "All given names" rather than relying on someone to hover over the "?". After all, most people are aware of what their first given name is so wouldn't necessarily bother to seek further assistance.

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^^^^^bit in bold, this is exactly my thinking. First given name means first name and nothing else.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Lisa29

^^^^^bit in bold, this is exactly my thinking. First given name means first name and nothing else.

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Hi Lisa, understandable logic for many (adding (s) on the end of a word seemed the answer) but the DHS argument may be updates are placed behind the ? therefore the official application must be read in full each time, irrespective of number of times one has applied.

As the DHS placed the 'no instant ESTA/72 hour' ruling banner at the top of the official ESTA site, perhaps they may do so if they begin name(s) enforcement.

The current red banner on the official site states:

'Citizens of participating Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries traveling to the United States are strongly encouraged to apply for an ESTA at the time of booking their trip and no later than 72 hours prior to departure'.

[pluto99]

redone em now not taking the risk or maybe iam fingers crossed