A Stars Wars fan who changed his name by deed poll to Han Solo has told how he now struggles to visit a galaxy far, far away – after being refused a PASSPORT.
Dominic Kimberley, 35, adopted the moniker of his favourite character of the Rebel Alliance from the Star Wars Trilogy back in 2008.
Since then he always introduces himself as Han and even has his new name on the back on his bank cards and statements.
But when he went to renew his current passport recently he encountered the dark side of Government officials.
The accounts manager was sent a letter telling him couldn’t get a new passport bearing his intergalactic name – because it is based on a fictional character.
And the force definitely wasn’t strong with angry Han who spent hours trying to argue his case to Home Office managers over the phone.
He is now worried he is travelling abroad illegally with his old passport which uses his original name and fears he could be arrested as a result.
Yesterday Han, from Stourbridge, West Mids., said: “A chap I knew changed his surname to annoy his dad because they had an argument and told me about it.
“I didn’t realise it was that easy to do so I thought I would have an experiment myself.
“I had booked a holiday to Thailand so sent my passport off with the deed poll letter and they sent it back saying I couldn’t change it because it was a fictional character.
“I rang them and was on the phone for hours going from manager to manager but nobody would sort it out for me.
“I said to them what about Harry Potter or James Bond but they just said it was a point-blank no.
“I automatically assumed that they would have to change my passport and it would go through fine but the name change is on a legal document.
“It cost me a few hundred pound because I had to re-book the holiday for a few months later.
“I went but I’m not sure if I was breaking the law or not by using two names.
“I’m worried I could get banged up abroad in the future and I’m wary about trying to travel again.”
Han paid just £12 to change his name with the aid of The Legal Deed Service at the end of 2008.
And he admitted it took his mum Catherine, 59, and other family members a while to get used to the bizarre choice.
He added: “My mum said ‘you’ve gone a galaxy too far this time’.
“But she saw the funny side.
“I introduce myself as Han Solo and most people laugh. It makes their day when I walk into the bank.
“My mates just laughed when they found out. I am a bit of a joker so I think they just expected it.
“I’ve always been a fan of the films and Han Solo was always my favourite character.
“I remember watching Return Of The Jedi in the cinema when I was about four and I’ve got all the films on DVD.
“To be honest I prefer the older films to the new ones, the first three are three of my favourite films.”
Single Han is adamant that any future Princess Leia would have to become Mrs Solo and he hasn’t ruled out giving his kids Star Wars names either.
He added: “If I had a boy I would definitely call him Lando but I haven’t thought of one for a girl yet.”
Han is now counting the days until the release of the next blockbuster, ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’.
Production of the film was halted after legendary actor Harrison Ford – who played Han Solo in the first three films – broke his ankle on set and it is now not due in cinemas until December 2015.
