6-Year-Old Denied Passport Due to Game of Thrones Character Name

A six-year-old girl’s passport was denied due to her Game of Thrones-inspired name, causing her mother to feel “devastated”.

Lucy, 39, from Swindon, recounted the ordeal to the BBC after the Passport Office initially rejected her daughter Khaleesi’s application. According to Lucy, officials stated they couldn’t process the request until Warner Brothers granted permission because they owned the trademark to the name.

Officials have since apologized for the error. “I was absolutely devastated, we were so looking forward to our first holiday together,” Lucy told the outlet. She had been planning a “dream” trip to Disneyland Paris.

“But then I had a letter come through from the Passport Office, saying her name is trademarked by Warner Brothers,” she explained. “It was the first I’ve heard of such a thing—I was astonished.”

Seeking clarity, Lucy pursued legal advice and was informed that while there is a trademark for Game of Thrones, the personal name was free to use. Despite this, the Passport Office maintained that she needed a letter from Warner Brothers confirming her daughter could use the name.

She chose to share her experience on social media, quickly receiving responses from others who had faced similar issues. “If I hadn’t posted this on social media, nothing would have been done,” Lucy suggested. “I would have been stuck, not knowing what to do. People contacted me about similar experiences.”

A Home Office spokesperson told the publication: “We can confirm the application is being processed and apologize to the family for the delay.”

Source: BBC