Name change hiccup for Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is finding it difficult to get a driving licence in the United States.

A man born Peter Phillips may well be regretting changing his name in order to express his faith in the Lord.

He has come up against a host of legal woes in trying to document the name change and the existence of his original birth certificate is proving problematic.

The white-haired businessman, who is in his mid-50s, is planning to move from Washington to West Virginia to enjoy a quieter life.

His passport, Social Security card and Washington driver’s licence all bear the name Jesus Christ.

But West Virginia law requires drivers to show a valid birth certificate to receive a licence and authorities will not bend the rules for the modern-day Christ.

“We just need official documentation that that’s his name,” said Doug Stump, commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.

“He will be treated no different than anybody else and what he’s got at the moment just won’t cut.”

Phillips applied for the legal name change in May 2003, but it was denied by a judge who said it may provoke a violent reaction or significantly offend people.

On appeal, his lawyers argued that he had actually changed his name 15 years earlier and had never had any problems.

The appeal was sent back to the lower courts and is pending.