Question about mother's names

[EmilyW 1,434]

This might be a very quick question for the experts.

Filling out my children's DS260 forms and it is asking for Mother's surname at birth. That's easy enough - it's my maiden name.

The next question is Mother's given names. It does not specify whether it's given names at birth or given names at present.

My problem is that I changed the spelling of my name when I turned 18 from Emilee (my parents thought it was a cute way to spell the name, it was not) to Emily.

So my given names have changed from birth to when I had my children. What do you recommend I should put down?

[zuroma999 12]

I think it is implying current given names. You should put your name from your passport, and that's the name you should put on your own DS-260 also.

So if you did not legally change the spelling of your name to Emily, and your passport has Emilee, you should put Emilee. If you did legally change your name, then put Emily.

Edited June 1, 2014 by zuroma999

[EmilyW 1,434]

Thanks Zuroma, I legally changed my name (which is documented on my birth certificate and on my passport), the day I turned 18 and could legally do it. My parents are/were strange creatures.

I got thrown by the fact that the first question asks 'Mother's surname at birth' and then 'Given Names' with no clarification as to whether that is present given names or my given names at birth.

You're right, given it is not explicitly asking for my given names at birth, I should enter my given names as they currently exist on my birth certificate and passport.

Thank you.

Edited June 1, 2014 by EmilyW