Changing name for fun cannot always be appropriate, especially when it comes to modifying it in your legal documents. An ex British soldier is currently facing a tough battle, after he decided to change his name. In 2016, Kenny Kennard changed his surname to “Fu-Kennard” and now it is f**king hard for him to leave the United Kingdom. The country’s Home Office repeatedly denied his passport because according to the official, his name could “cause offence.” Fu-Kennard, you get it right? The ex-serviceman is now realising that his name change, when he thought it was funny at the time, might not be his smartest move. Muslim Woman Denied French Citizenship For Refusing Handshake With Officials. 

The 33-year-old former squaddie’s passport was expired earlier this year and he applied for a new year. However, his application was denied. Despite getting a driving license under his new name, Fu-Kennard has been unable to get a passport. His attempt at contesting the decision of HM Passport Office have all been unsuccessful. He was quoted in media outlets as saying, “I’d decided to change my name to Fu-Kennard a few years back. When I had to apply for a driving licence, it was accepted fine, so I figured it wouldn't make much difference in applying for a passport. How wrong I was. I got refused on grounds that my name could cause offence or was vulgar. So I complained, but they upheld their decision so I complained again. I was then told they'd keep the fee for administration costs.”

Kenny further said that he wrote to his MP Scott Mann, who told him the Home Office is “within their remit to refuse.” Now he is stuck with no passport like a prisoner in his own country. He added, “On the one hand, I find the whole thing funny - as do all of my friends. But I'm also finding it hard to believe the name could be construed as anything but funny and slightly ridiculous. It's just a joke. I agree with Home Office policy that not all names are acceptable, such as racial hate words or anything that invokes hatred. ‘Fu-Kennard’ is not offensive, and I object to them denying my chosen name.” Indian-origin Woman Flew UK to Delhi on Husband's Passport. 

For the first time, Kenny changed his name to “Coco Kenny” when he was 16-year-old. After he joined the army at age 19, he was told to change it again, because the name sounded “immature.” He served the country for eight years, Kenny decided to change his name for fun. Knowing that he would apply for regular jobs, he settled for “Fu-Kennard.” Kenny loves to travel and reportedly spent a holiday to Sri Lanka months before his passport expired. Now he cannot travel abroad. His intention to name himself Fu-Kennard for a laugh, has backfired really hard.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 01:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).