A man’s attempt to change his surname for a humorous reason has led to a travel ban, the Mirror reported.
Kenny Kennard legally changed his last name to “Fu-Kennard” as a joke a few years ago, but that decision has now had unexpected consequences.
Despite successfully obtaining a driver’s license with his changed last name, Kenny runs into a roadblock when he tries to include it in his passport. When applying forpassport renewal earlier this year, his application was rejected due to concerns that his name might be offensive.
Originally from Bude, Cornwall, Kenny, who works in a supermarket, challenged the decision of HM Passport Office three times. However, the Home Office remains steadfast in its refusal to allow the name in his passport.
“As a result, Kenny, a keen traveler, is left with the prospect of enjoying holidays within the UK instead. Contemplating the situation, he expressed his reluctance to change his name again, leaving him with limited travel options. He recalled, “I had decided to change my name to Fou-Kenard a few years ago.”
“When I had to apply for a driver’s license it was well received, so I thought it wouldn’t make much difference to applying for a passport. How wrong I was. I was rejected on the grounds that my name might be offensive or vulgar. So I complained but they upheld their decision so I complained again. Then they told me they would keep the admin fee. If I want to take the matter further they said I should contact my MP. So I wrote to MP Scott Mann and he wrote back saying they were within their powers to refuse.
“Now I’m skinny without a passport, like a prisoner in my own country. On the one hand, I find everything funny – and so do all my friends. But I also find it hard to believe that the name could be interpreted as anything but funny and slightly ridiculous. This is just a joke. I agree with the Home Office policy that not all names are acceptable, such as racial hate speech or anything that causes hatred.
“‘Fu-Kennard’ is not offensive and I object to them denying my chosen name.” Kenny first changed his name to ‘Coco Kenny’ when he was 16, but after joining the army at 19, he said he was told to change it back because it was “immature”. After eight years of service to his country, Kenny decided to “change it up with something with a little ‘fun'”.
Realizing that he would be applying for conventional job positions, Kenny Kennard decided to “play it a little safe” when he chose the name “Foo-Kennard” because he realized that not everyone would appreciate the humor.
He commented, “Life is too short to be boring.” In 2016, Kenny successfully acquired a driver’s license under his chosen name, so there was no reason to expect problems when applying for a passport.
However, his passport application was repeatedly rejected by the Home Office in May, June and July this year. Refusals are based on section 2 of the Home Office’s established policy on name changes. Official guidelines outline a range of “names likely to cause outrage or offence” that may be considered “unacceptable” for passport purposes.
These include names that use profanity, have sexually explicit references, carry inappropriate religious connotations, are vulgar, offensive or defamatory of an individual, or involve the use of the name of a living or deceased person that may cause public concern.
The guidelines also specify that this applies to both the phonetic and actual use of words comprising part or all of the name.
The Home Office even indicated it would keep Kenny’s £94.75 application fee “to cover administration costs”. Confused and confused by this situation, Kenny sought help from the local Member of Parliament, Tory member Scott Mann.
However, Mr Mann’s office supported the decision of Her Majesty’s Passport Office, stressing that under section 2 of the Home Office policy on ‘unacceptable names’, Her Majesty’s Passport Office was “within its powers to refuse your application for a passport under the name you have chosen. “
Kenny revealed that the Home Office had informed him that they would only process a passport application if he changed his name to one deemed acceptable or returned to his previous name. In a letter dated July 11, they said: “Your application is considered to contain a name that may offend individuals and the general public.”
“A passport is not an appropriate vehicle for bearing names that may be considered unsavory or vulgar. The application will be refused and the fee will be retained, in accordance with HM Passport Office procedure, to cover administrative costs.’ But the quirky retailer was shocked by the Home Office’s decision and said he was ‘confused as to what can I do – live without a passport?”
Kenny, who reportedly loves to travel, last holidayed in Sri Lanka months before his passport expired, now unable to holiday abroad. He said: “Without a passport I cannot go on holiday abroad. I live in a seaside town but I have always loved to travel. My last holiday – in Sri Lanka – was about three years ago. But there are so many countries I would still like to visit, for example Cambodia.
“I went camping at Sennen Beach for my holiday. I have no plans for my next vacation as my options are limited. I have a stag party in three weeks, for example. When the best man was deciding what to do for him, he knew I couldn’t travel – so he settled on Cardiff instead.
“I don’t know what else I can do to escalate the situation with HM Passport because no one has advised me how else I can challenge the sentence. However, I have only one red line – I keep my last name. I don’t want to change it again, especially since they limit my freedom. I like Fu-Kennard.”
Kenny Kennard legally changed his last name to “Fu-Kennard” as a joke a few years ago, but that decision has now had unexpected consequences.
Despite successfully obtaining a driver’s license with his changed last name, Kenny runs into a roadblock when he tries to include it in his passport. When applying forpassport renewal earlier this year, his application was rejected due to concerns that his name might be offensive.
Originally from Bude, Cornwall, Kenny, who works in a supermarket, challenged the decision of HM Passport Office three times. However, the Home Office remains steadfast in its refusal to allow the name in his passport.
“As a result, Kenny, a keen traveler, is left with the prospect of enjoying holidays within the UK instead. Contemplating the situation, he expressed his reluctance to change his name again, leaving him with limited travel options. He recalled, “I had decided to change my name to Fou-Kenard a few years ago.”
“When I had to apply for a driver’s license it was well received, so I thought it wouldn’t make much difference to applying for a passport. How wrong I was. I was rejected on the grounds that my name might be offensive or vulgar. So I complained but they upheld their decision so I complained again. Then they told me they would keep the admin fee. If I want to take the matter further they said I should contact my MP. So I wrote to MP Scott Mann and he wrote back saying they were within their powers to refuse.
“Now I’m skinny without a passport, like a prisoner in my own country. On the one hand, I find everything funny – and so do all my friends. But I also find it hard to believe that the name could be interpreted as anything but funny and slightly ridiculous. This is just a joke. I agree with the Home Office policy that not all names are acceptable, such as racial hate speech or anything that causes hatred.
“‘Fu-Kennard’ is not offensive and I object to them denying my chosen name.” Kenny first changed his name to ‘Coco Kenny’ when he was 16, but after joining the army at 19, he said he was told to change it back because it was “immature”. After eight years of service to his country, Kenny decided to “change it up with something with a little ‘fun'”.
Realizing that he would be applying for conventional job positions, Kenny Kennard decided to “play it a little safe” when he chose the name “Foo-Kennard” because he realized that not everyone would appreciate the humor.
He commented, “Life is too short to be boring.” In 2016, Kenny successfully acquired a driver’s license under his chosen name, so there was no reason to expect problems when applying for a passport.
However, his passport application was repeatedly rejected by the Home Office in May, June and July this year. Refusals are based on section 2 of the Home Office’s established policy on name changes. Official guidelines outline a range of “names likely to cause outrage or offence” that may be considered “unacceptable” for passport purposes.
These include names that use profanity, have sexually explicit references, carry inappropriate religious connotations, are vulgar, offensive or defamatory of an individual, or involve the use of the name of a living or deceased person that may cause public concern.
The guidelines also specify that this applies to both the phonetic and actual use of words comprising part or all of the name.
The Home Office even indicated it would keep Kenny’s £94.75 application fee “to cover administration costs”. Confused and confused by this situation, Kenny sought help from the local Member of Parliament, Tory member Scott Mann.
However, Mr Mann’s office supported the decision of Her Majesty’s Passport Office, stressing that under section 2 of the Home Office policy on ‘unacceptable names’, Her Majesty’s Passport Office was “within its powers to refuse your application for a passport under the name you have chosen. “
Kenny revealed that the Home Office had informed him that they would only process a passport application if he changed his name to one deemed acceptable or returned to his previous name. In a letter dated July 11, they said: “Your application is considered to contain a name that may offend individuals and the general public.”
“A passport is not an appropriate vehicle for bearing names that may be considered unsavory or vulgar. The application will be refused and the fee will be retained, in accordance with HM Passport Office procedure, to cover administrative costs.’ But the quirky retailer was shocked by the Home Office’s decision and said he was ‘confused as to what can I do – live without a passport?”
Kenny, who reportedly loves to travel, last holidayed in Sri Lanka months before his passport expired, now unable to holiday abroad. He said: “Without a passport I cannot go on holiday abroad. I live in a seaside town but I have always loved to travel. My last holiday – in Sri Lanka – was about three years ago. But there are so many countries I would still like to visit, for example Cambodia.
“I went camping at Sennen Beach for my holiday. I have no plans for my next vacation as my options are limited. I have a stag party in three weeks, for example. When the best man was deciding what to do for him, he knew I couldn’t travel – so he settled on Cardiff instead.
“I don’t know what else I can do to escalate the situation with HM Passport because no one has advised me how else I can challenge the sentence. However, I have only one red line – I keep my last name. I don’t want to change it again, especially since they limit my freedom. I like Fu-Kennard.”