Changing name on medical certificate

Low Level Flyer

Low Level Flyer

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Messages
154
Display Name
Low Level Flyer
Do the names on an FAA medical certificate and pilot certificate need to match exactly? If so, just curious where the reference for this is. A coworker's son is in the pilot program at Auburn University and is about to take his instrument practical. His pilot certificate has his full middle name and medical only has his middle initial, with first and last names matching. Auburn is telling him he can't take the ride until it is corrected. He'd like to put his full middle name on the medical certificate. The AME that issued it is either unable or unwilling to issue a corrected one. Assuming they need to match, what would he need to do to correct this? Outside of taking a new physical of course.
 
And the medical has his DoB, so the chances of him presenting someone elses's medical are smaller than winning the lottery.
Someone might be a-retentetive.
 
He's already contacted Aerospace Medical Certification Department in OKC and is correcting the issue, hopefully in time for his practical test. But still curious if they need to match exactly or if the middle initial on one would suffice. Also curious if the issuing AME could have issued a corrected one.
 
Low Level Flyer said:
He's already contacted Aerospace Medical Certification Department in OKC and is correcting the issue, hopefully in time for his practical test. But still curious if they need to match exactly or if the middle initial on one would suffice. Also curious if the issuing AME could have issued a corrected one.
Click to expand...
Ideally, it should match the name on your photo ID. Basically, it's a requirement for "full legal name"
 
Last edited:
I get differing first or last names, just wasn't sure if middle name vs initial would matter if everything else matched.
 
Low Level Flyer said:
I get differing first or last names, just wasn't sure if middle name vs initial would matter if everything else matched.
Click to expand...

The practical answer is that it depends on the DPE. The legal answer is found in the MedXpress user’s guide.

3. Full Name
Enter your legal name. If your name changed for any reason since the date of your most
recent medical examination, list your current legal name in the General Explanations
Pertaining to Medical History comment box (in the Medical History section.) See 14 CFR §
61.25 for the requirements for change of name.
8edc76d304985613837db739483cb185.jpg


Note the field instructs the applicant to enter their middle name, not middle initial.
 
bbchien said:
The fastest way is just to get to an AME office and get it properly reissued. The cost of missing the checkride is High if the 90 days expires waiting to get into the DPE again....
Click to expand...
I'm assuming he could do this at any AME office and not just the one that originally issued the certificate? The original AME said she is unwilling to reissue it. And if he goes to another AME, does it need to be one that issues first class medicals since that's what his is? Or does it not matter for a reissuance?
 
I know of two people who had checkrides delayed because they go by their middle name and they had conflicting pilot certificates, medicals, and driver licenses. I don’t know why the school let it go that far since it is a common issue.
 
Low Level Flyer said:
I'm assuming he could do this at any AME office and not just the one that originally issued the certificate? The original AME said she is unwilling to reissue it. And if he goes to another AME, does it need to be one that issues first class medicals since that's what his is? Or does it not matter for a reissuance?
Click to expand...
it has to be >90 days since the last certificate and ANY AME can do it.
 
We were told it needs to match exactly. Mine didn't so I had to fill out the form and get a new one sent in from Oklahoma I think it's a recent change but my certificate had my middle name and my medical didn't so I had to get my medical updated. About 15 people in my class had the mismatch and had to get it corrected.
 
Quick update. Aerospace Medical Certification Department in OKC has already emailed his updated medical cert with his full name, matching his pilot cert and FAA records. Response only took a few days and he has it in time for his instrument practical test. Feels weird typing this, but thanks OKC!!
 
Low Level Flyer said:
I'm assuming he could do this at any AME office and not just the one that originally issued the certificate? The original AME said she is unwilling to reissue it. And if he goes to another AME, does it need to be one that issues first class medicals since that's what his is? Or does it not matter for a reissuance?
Click to expand...
He's just be getting a new medical, so if he needs a First Class, it would have to be a senior AME.
 
Back
Top