Maiden or Married Name on Your Passport?
So you are in line to go to paradise by plane and… what? The employee is starting to look at you weird when they see that your airline ticket and passport does not have the same name posted on them. Next you are taken to an office and questioned by a scary tall looking official. The thought of paradise fades into the horizon as your life turns into a nightmare. Okay, Okay… that is the worst case scenario, but problems can arise if your name does not match your passport. If you plan to travel, you need those names to match.
Passport Background Information and the Law
Did you know that the vast majority of the countries in the world require that you have a passport for entry? That means more than likely, the place you are traveling to, you will need a passport.
Even going to a country such as Canada requires you to have a passport due to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). Mexico is restricted by the law as is Canada and the Caribbean. This most pertinent component of the law is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or commonly referred to as WHTI for short. WHTI requires citizens of the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the person's identity and nationality to enter or leave the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.
Although the law was passed in 2004, it went it effect in phases. Air travel requirements kicked in January 1, 2007. Enforcement for land and sea travel went into effect June 1, 2009.
Difficulties of Changing Your Passport Name Before you Travel
As you may already know, getting or renewing a passport can sometimes be a frustrating and drawn out experience. However, getting your name changed on it can be even more frustrating.
Depending on the status or age of your passport, the application you must fill out will vary. The fees (assuming they're applicable to your situation) can also vary. If you plan to use the expedited service to get your passport quicker than normal, there will be an additional fee of $60 on top of the other fees. This can be a good option if your travel plans are just around the corner.
As you can see, your passport can be difficult to change for a variety reasons, such as:
- The worst difficulty can be that you put the wrong information on the application, leading to a mistake or the application to be deemed invalid due to incorrect information. This leads you having to re-do the application and send it off again, furthering the amount of time it takes for you to get your new passport. This can be problematic because you may be hoping to get your passport the first time around, because you are on a time crunch, just to learn that you will have to wait longer, disrupting your plans.
- You can print out and send the wrong application.
- You can forget to send the payment for the fee, or send the wrong fee.
- You may forget to include the appropriate photo format for the passport I.D.
- You provide insufficient documentation detailing your change of name event (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree).
Difficulties of Changing Your Name on an Already Acquired Airline Ticket
Notice: This following information is usually applicable for the airlines of American, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Northwest, United, U.S. Airways, and many other airlines.
When going on your honeymoon or another type of vacation, you most likely choose to buy a round trip ticket. A round trip ticket consists of two things: The going part of the ticket (a front portion) and a coming back part of the ticket (a return portion). Many airlines treat a round trip ticket as a two portion ticket (the front portion and returning portion) and thus, these airlines make it difficult to change your name on your ticket.
When you change your name of your ticket, this changes both the front and return portion of your ticket. If you change the front portion, airlines consider this as rebooking your ticket. This means you have to pay the cost of the ticket and an additional change fee of $50 to $100. If you change the returning portion, you also have to pay a changing fee of $50 to $100. So you end up paying more than you can imagine.
What you can do is call the airline and explain your dilemma to them, you never know, they may accommodate you and not make you pay so much or change your ticket for free. Just make sure that you have your ticket confirmation number, if required, be able to verify your identity, and explain to the agent that your name has changed due to a marriage or other valid reason. The agent will guide you through changing your ticket.
Possible difficulties you may experience include:
- The worst difficulty can be a rude agent that does not understand and makes your life a little more strenuous when you try to explain your situation. The agent may rebook your ticket incorrectly and you end up with a headache and airline ticket with the wrong information and having to pay for a wrong airline ticket and an expensive fee that you should not be paying because you do not even have the right airline ticket.
- You have to book another ticket with your changed name and you have to pay both fees which can lead to you paying $100 to $200.
- An airline that does not allow you to change your name.
- An airline that only allows you to change your airline ticket's information within a certain time frame and you have passed that deadline so they either refuse to change the information without charging you a lot of money or make you buy another ticket with the right information.
- You have lost your ticket confirmation number or cannot prove your identity.
Preparing for International and Domestic Travel
You must consider the impact of changing your name before or after traveling because the TSA is strict about your name matching on both your airline ticket and passport. They examine your name for security screening purposes. Prior to your flight, passenger names are made available to the TSA to be checked against the "No Fly" list. Only names that are cleared are given a boarding pass upon check-in to board the plane.
The discussion thus far has focused on passports, which are specific to international travel. But the same rules apply when traveling domestically. If you're traveling on a domestic flight, you'll use an alternative form of I.D. (such as driver's license or state/government issued I.D.), but it's important for the name on such identification to also match your airline tickets.
If you choose to change your name after your travels are complete, you will not have to go through the process of having to explain to the TSA why your names aren't the same from your passport and airline ticket. You would not be required to wait for your passport name to be updated in order to go on your honeymoon, or other travel destination. All you have to do is keep your maiden name until after the honeymoon.
However, you can pay a expedited fee of $60 to have your passport name change processed quicker (which can definitely be a worthwhile option)—but think about it, you are already paying out a lot of money and $60 can be a nice dinner or saved to help pay some of the cost of the vacation, honeymoon, or the cost of the wedding.
Planning Ahead to Avoid Chaos
So you are in line to that trip to paradise and… what? The employee is smiling and telling you "Have a nice flight and an even better vacation." Because guess why? Your passport and your ticket have the same name! That means no more thinking about the worst case scenario, which is not being able to broad your flight.
Yes, there may be difficulty in changing the name of your passport because there are different applications to choose from and you have to remember when you got your passport and for some of the applications, you have to pay a fee. However, changing your ticket information can be even more expensive and frustrating. That is why your need to go ahead and plan ahead.
If you wait to change your passport, you most likely have not changed your ticket name because you are thinking ahead. This means your paradise does not fade into the horizon as the airplane leaves without you and your life turn upside down for the day.
If you wait until after your honeymoon or vacation, you can deal with the passport frustration when you get back and not have to feel like you are rushing. Plus, you have all those other things to worry about if you are getting (or have gotten) married. This also means that you do not have to spend forever on the phone with an airline agent to change your ticket just to learn that you have to get another ticket and pay a changing fee. If you just plan ahead, there is no need to worry about all the money you will be paying out to just change your name.
So now, smiling employee and a trip to paradise vs not being able to broad your flight and having to watch as the airplane to your paradise leaves without you? It is your choice, choose wisely.
Hi I'm wondering my first time applying and don't know what I should put down for answers as I got divorced a long time ago but I did get remarried but neither person changed thier name (I still go by my maiden). Should I just say "no" to divorce and "no" to married?
First-time passport applicants must fill out form DS-11, which asks if you've ever been married, but doesn't ask if you've ever been divorced. You can put yes for married while still applying for your first passport in your current legal name, which I assume is your maiden name.
Hello,
I recently got married and haven't changed my name yet. I need to get a passport for a vacation and was told that I could get the passport in my married name and change my name after getting it. Is this information accurate?
Hi KD. Your question is about getting a passport in your married name and changing it later? Did you mean getting a passport in your maiden name and changing it to your married name later?
Let's cover both scenarios. You can get a passport in either your maiden name (assuming it is your current legal name) or your new married name. The process is the same for first-time passports. Do whichever you prefer.
But I don't see why you need to change your name a second time when you can go through the procedure once in your final, preferred name.
If I'm misunderstanding your situation or sequence, please clarify.
Hello. My situation is a little similar to others. I changed my last name legally in the US to my ex-husband's last name. However, in my passport, it has my maiden name and then says (spouse of "ex-husband's last name"). It is a Korean passport and people don't change their last names in Korea once they get married.
I am not sure if "spouse of ___) is enough for TSA. Things would be easier if I was able to bring marriage certificates, but we are now divorced. Should I make flights to reflect my maiden name, or will marriage certificate be enough even if we're divorced now? Thanks.
Also, my SSN and green card is all by my ex-husband's last name. Thanks!
Hi Ji. Bringing your social security card and permanent resident card may serve as additional identity confirmation documents that link your maiden and married name.
Hi Ji. You should be fine by bringing supporting identity documents that links your maiden name to your married name, even though divorced. For instance, your divorce decree could associate your maiden and married name. This could confirm your identity, same as a marriage certificate.
Hi! I am a US citizen, but have recently been married in Canada and also residing in Canada as I am working on obtaining residency here. I am flying back to the states in a couple weeks for Thanksgiving and want to double check if it is okay for me to use my US passport with my maiden name on it to travel back and forth?
Yes, as long as your book your airline tickets in your maiden name.
I'm from Canada, and I got married last year and changed my ID to my married name. The only thing that's in my maiden name is my passport. We want to travel to US for our honeymoon, but the wait times to renew a passport are atrocious here in Toronto.
I was told that as long as I book my flight in my maiden name and my passport matches that name I shouldn't have any issues because the only ID I would be using to travel is my passport and nothing else. Is this true? Can I do this?
This is true. You want to book your flight in the name that's shown in your passport. You can change your name later when your travels have concluded.
Hello,
We have some similar questions, but need clarification on some extra things:
Cousin just got married in January and on marriage certificate, she chose the name change option and put down her husband's surname so she now has a married name?
She has not yet changed her name with SSA, DMV, professional license or any other agencies/documents. Every document, except marriage certificate, has her maiden name. Her driver license and passport will soon expire and up for renewal
Q1 = is her legal name still her maiden name?
Q2 = does this married name on marriage certificate automatically become a legal name in any way despite no subsequent name change filings with SSA and DMV?
Q3 = on the passport renewal form, one question asks to "enter all legal names previously used" – if she hasn't changed to her married name with SSA and DMV, then does she have to enter her husband's surname on this line? Base on her situation, she only has one legal name ever, which is her maiden name and so should be able to leave this question blank?
Q4: on the driver license form, there is a question "has your name changed", does she select "no" (for reasons above in Q3)? She renews DL with maiden name right?
Q5: Even if she elected to change her name on marriage certificate, does she have to go through with changing name on all her other documents (SSA, DMV, professional license, etc) and if so is there a deadline?
Our understanding from reading this and your other posts is that the marriage certificate is an easy(ier) way to change surname without having to do court petition – it gives you option of changing name, but you don't necessary have to follow through with it but have the option to at any point in time. Is it correct?
Sorry for the long post, just want to clear up some confusing points for sake of sanity and to avoid processing delays
Thank you very much!
She's eligible to have a married name. It isn't official until she updates her ID.
Yes, her maiden name is still her current legal name.
No, name change isn't automatic.
No, she can omit it.
Correct, leave it blank.
Correct, choose no. No change. Then renew in her maiden name, which is the default.
No, name change is not mandatory.
The deadlines kick in once she updates social security.
That's right. It leaves the door open without forcing a court petition.
Hi,
I decided to retain my maiden name in all of my documents. My passport is in my maiden name but it is still on single status which is not visible on passport face. Will it be a problem on my visa interview/approval for US?
No, you can maintain the use of your maiden name.
Hi,
I am traveling internationally by boat within the next 2 weeks. Miami to Bahamas. My expired passport is in my maiden name and so is my driver's license. I have changed my maiden name to married with the social security office only. Can I renew my passport with my maiden name now since I don't have time to change my driver's license before the trip?
Hi Ashley. You can renew in your maiden name.
hi there,
Am from Nigeria, I apply for university in Europe which they have given me offer and my passport and all document submitted to school is on my father's name but I later get married and I want to apply for visa and want to go with my husband, thou we have all legal document and marriage certificate will that be possible. kindly reply as soon as possible.
Hi Omowale. Which country in Europe? Generally, updating your visa isn't a problem. You've changed your name, so you'll need to update your visa. Same as if your personal information, phone, or address changed. You may even be able to do this online.
Hi there!
So heres my sad story. My passport does expire until 2024. It's in my maiden name…My sister surprised me with a trip to Mexico which is in less than 4 weeks. She booked the flight under my married name. I tried to expedite my passport in time but unfortunately I didn’t sign the darn passport application and they returned it back to me after almost 5 weeks of waiting for it to process!
My question is: Can I ask the airport to change my name to my maiden name in the itinerary? Or should I be ok with marriage license, drivers license (in married name), social security card (married name) and maybe my birth certificate with my passport (maiden name) to the airport? Please all the help would be great!
Hi Amber. You should be fine, as you have documentation linking your old and new name. Make sure your marriage license is actually a certified copy of your marriage certificate. In some states the license and certificate is one and the same.
Having said that, you can contact the airline and request a new ticket be issued in your maiden name.
Hi there,
I'm a US Citizen/Canadian PR, renewing my US passport. When I got married, I changed my name with Social Security in the States, but in Canada (where I live), I still go by my maiden name. My Canadian driver's license, my PR card, all my legal documents in Canada have my maiden name. My original US passport also has my maiden name.
Can I renew my passport in my maiden name to avoid complications, despite the fact that the renewal application *specifically* asks if my name has changed? I'm worried the changed name with Social Security will muck things up. Thanks so much.
Hi Stacey. You can renew in your maiden name. Had you checked that box, you'd be obligated to provide proof of name change; i.e., a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Hey Valera,
My wife and I recently got married. She has changed her SS card and driver's license to my name. Her passport is valid and in her maiden name. We are planning on flying to Mexico for out honeymoon.
Will it be ok for her to fly with her passport (maiden name) as long as we book the ticket under her maiden name?
Thanks so much!
Yes, that's the proper way to go about it.
Hello,
My wife has dual citizenship with USA and Brazil. She also has both a US and Brazil passport. US passport to re-enter into US on the way back and Brazil passport to enter Brazil on the way towards our vacation. However, the US passport is in her married name and the Brazil passport is in her maiden name. What name do we book the round trip flight tickets in, married US passport name or maiden Brazil passport name? I feel like I should book the roundtrip tickets in the US passport married name, but I wonder if Brazil will have any issues with this.
Hi Cory. Married name, supplemented with a certified copy of the marriage certificate to link the two names.
My wife is Korean and her passport has her maiden name listed but it also lists the married name as "Wife of" and then my last name (Her green card has my last name listed as her surname as well). Do you know what the airlines want on the ticket? Her maiden name in the surname spot or my last name? Both? I've not been able to find a real answer and she has an international business trip coming up in a few months. Grateful for any help you can give.
Thanks,
Hi Anthony. She'd use the primary name on her passport, which is her maiden name. It's still worth contacting the airline to determine if supporting documents are worth bringing, such as her marriage certificate.
I’m getting married next month and am trying to get everything in order to change all my documents. My question concerns my passport and global entry. If I change my name with SSA and on my DL, can I continue to use my passport and global entry with my maiden name until they expire? I’d prefer to wait to change those until my global entry expires.
Yes, you can continue using your existing passport.
My mom’s Mexican passport is under her maiden name and her green card is under her married name. We’re flying to Mexico and are worried she’s going to have trouble entering/leaving the US because the names do not match.
She has a Mexican ID with her maiden name and a Texas ID with her married name. Her SSN is a combination of both. We have not booked the tickets and want to make sure we issue them with the correct name. Could you please advise what’s the best option?
Hi Gloria. Bring sufficient supporting documentation linking her names names. For instance, bring a certified copy of her marriage certificate that shows her maiden name and spouse's name.
I am in the US. My foreign passport has my married name. My greencard has my maiden name, following a divorce. I also have an older greencard with my married name. The ID card for the country I will be visiting has my maiden name on it. My ticket will have to be booked in my married name. I have two questions.
1. Would there be any problems at customs with my passport and ID card for the visiting country having different names?
2. Would there be an issue returning to US if greencard is in maiden name but passport is in married name?
FYI – I am never changing my name again, EVER!!!! It’s is cumbersome and so expensive!!!
Hi Salina. You should be fine if you bring supporting documents linking up your name history. Bring ID (expired and unexpired) in both names. Also your marriage certificate and divorce certificate.
I have a question. My Philippine passport have my maiden name and my visa have a married name. I'm going home to Philippines my concern is going back here. Do I need to change my passport to married name before travelling or just provide sufficient documents like marriage certificate? Any immigration concern?
Thank you.
Hi Jea. Your marriage certificate should suffice to bind both names.
My wife's passport has her maiden name but all her ID and social has her new last name. When booking ticket can I use her maiden name that matches her passport since she has 5 years left until renewal. Also we are going to be traveling into Mexico through San Diego to take a flight into deeper San Diego and just want to make sure we won't have any issues
Take a flight into deeper Mexico* sorry
Hi Mike. Using the maiden name is fine. For good measure, bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate to explain the name difference if questioned.
I have a passport in my maiden name. I changed my name after I got married, just never updated my passport as we never traveled internationally. I am now divorced and have changed my name back to my maiden with social security – can I just go back to using my original passport that hasn't expired yet?
Yes, it's still valid. You don't need to change it.
I filled out my passport application.
They asked for my maiden name and now married/divorced name (I kept my married name. I remarried and kept last name of previous marriage. I am now bei g told my application needs proof of my last name. Why? I have had the same last name for 40 years…why is this being an issue for application?
Hi Dawn. Which document did you present for ID purposes?
So got married 10 months ago, getting ready to book a trip to travel in 6 weeks. Never changed my passport to my new married name. Can I just book the ticket in my old name so it will match my passport?
Yes, which is sensible.
Hi, I am a permanent resident and my green card has married name on it, while my Ukrainian passport has maiden name. It seems like the only way to change my passport to married name is to do it in Ukraine (complicated procedure), but I’m not going there any time soon.
My question is it a requirement to change last name on the passport or I can continue using it with maiden name on it? ( it is still valid for 7 more years).
I have an international flight booked to Guatemala in the few months, tickets are on maiden name to match passport. Will I have troubles leaving Guatemala since my passport and green card have different last names?
I’m taking certified copy of my marriage certificate, but it only indicates my maiden name on it. Will that be sufficient to explain name difference? Appreciate your reply.
You can continue using it.
You should be fine. Bring your marriage certificate along if questions arise.
Yes, as your married name could be derived from your marriage certificate by referencing your spouse's surname.
I have submitted my document just awaiting my interview date then notice i am supposed to change my name in my passport from my maiden name to my husband name cause my husband filed for me,what should i do,i have limited time
Hi Deby. Are you certain you need to update your passport at this time? Even if you did update it, the turnaround time isn't immediate.
Hello I have the same problem from maybe most of the concern I read from here, I’ll be flying to the phillippines next week April 13,2019 from LAX with China Eastern Airlines.
My sister is the one who booked the ticket for me. And I just realize now that the name of my ticket she used is under my marriage name but my passport is under my maiden name.
I called the booking company and also the China Eastern Airlines but they said that they can’t change the name and advice me to book another ticket the problem is theres nomore availble flight on the same date, I’m very frustrated and worried if I can still fly .
I have my birth certificate ,certified marriage certificate ,SSN, drivers License and Greencard under my married name to show them the proof of my name changed .
I read some of the comments here that as long as I have enough proof there will be no problem but my concern is It’s a connecting flight we have a stop over at Shanghai Pu dong China. Do you think they will accept my documents as a proof in China ? Is it worth the risk to go to the airport and find out ? I know China is very strict country.
Please help if you have the same problem with me I will appreciate to hear from your experience.
Its been almost 4 yrs the last time I been to the philippines and I’ll be traveling with my sister and her family. I been looking forward on this flight for a months I settle my leave from work for this vacation and I’m very excited until I learned about this problem .
Thank you so much I would appreciate it a lot if I will hear your response .
Unknown. The more documentation you have the better. Credentials in your prior name, even if expired, is worth bringing with you too.
Yes, it makes sense.
Hello I was told by US postal employee that I cannot apply for a passport because I still have my maiden name. My question is can I apply for a passport with my maiden name even though I’m married?
Hi Maricela. You can reapply for a passport in your maiden name.
My daughter currently has a passport and a 10 year China visa in her maiden name. She is planning to get married just a couple of weeks before moving to China for two years for an internship. She will not have time to change her name on her passport and visa. Is she able to just keep her maiden name for 2 years and then make the change when she comes back?
Hi Lori. Yes, your daughter can change her name later.
Hi, I got married and changed my name after I already had my passport in my maiden name, so I used that the whole time I was married. Now I'm divorced, and must get a new passport, but have not legally changed my name back. I'd rather use my maiden name, but don't know if that's a problem. Is it easiest right now to just renew the passport and change it to my legal married name, or could I keep the information as my maiden name? I only have two months to renew it before my next planned trip, so I will do whatever is easiest. And legal, obviously :)
Hi Maralee. You can renew in your maiden name.
Sorry for asking the same question that had been answered already, but I just want to hear your thoughts. My wife and I are going to Cancun next week, I booked a ticket for her with the married name while her Korean passport shows her maiden name on it, but she has the green card with the married name. I called Delta and the representative said if we bring the marriage certificate that shows my wife's maiden name we should be okay. I also contacted the TSA and was told the permanent registration card holder can use the green card as valid ID to get through the security checkpoint without showing the passport, even though it's an international flight. Is this all true? Thanks in advance!
Hi Jun. You should be fine. Passport and airline ticket name mismatches can become a problem if there's insufficient documentation to explain it. You have that, so it wouldn't obstruct your travels.
Hello what happen when u get to the airport did they let you fly?? I have the same problem
Hi, I recently got divorced and changed my name on SSN and DL. My passport has my married name and née maiden name, my Green card has my married name, I booked my ticket in the name on my passport , would that be okay? I do have a divorce decree (certified copy) that I walk around with as half the stuff is still in my old married name. Thank you
Also will I have any issues reentering the US?
*Name that I booked the ticket in is my old married name.
Hi Nells. You're fine booking your tickets to match your passport. It's a good idea to keep your divorce decree with you. You shouldn't face any problems with reentry.
I recently applied for a passport, and, I go by my maiden name as my middle name. The lady that helped me at the post office said that I had to put my middle name that was on my birth certificate. My license and social security card has my maiden name as my middle name. Now my new passport has a name that doesn't match any other documents. What should I do?
Hi Jan. Although it's possible another agent might have reacted differently, the fact that your name has already been changed makes it difficult to change it again without presenting a court order.
Hi…
I got married in 2016, did my change of name afterwards and got my passport with my marriage name while all other certificates and bank slips still has my maiden name and my spouse and I are planning on Vacation internationally. Will I face any problem.
Hi Judith. You shouldn't have a problem. Whenever you have name inconsistencies between your passport and other identity documents, it's a good idea to keep a certified copy of your marriage certificate with you when you travel.
Hi Valera…..Wife has a valid passport with her maiden name but two years ago we got married and heading to Punta Cana in January but don't have trip set just yet. She looked into an expedited passport but need to show proof of expedited need but trip is not planned yet. With the passport in her maiden name, can we just put her ticket in her maiden name and not have to get an expedited passport? This all makes me nervous as I don't want any problems on our trip. Thank You.
Yes.
Passport in maiden name
DL & SS in married name.
I want to apply for global entry, can I apply using maiden name?
Hi Lindsay. You can apply in your maiden name.
I have dual citizenship – U.S. and Brazil. I was born in the U.S. and have always lived here. I plan on changing all of my documents here with my new married name, except both US and Brazil passports. I will be traveling a lot more to Brazil since my husband is from Brazil, however if I register my marriage in Brazil, change name etc, I feel this will be a long process as I also have a Brazilian birth certificate and a form of Brazilian ID, which may then need to be updated. In order to avoid confusion, I wanted to keep both passports with my former last name. Do you know if this would be legal? It seems the DL and SSN do not feed into the passport info so hopefully this would not interfere if I change those documents to my new name. Thank you in advance!
Another option I am thinking is to change all my US documents, including my US passport with my new married name and just leaving my Brazilian passport as is- with my maiden name.
That too is an option.
Hi Lissa. Yes, you can keep your passports unchanged.
My wife is a legal permanent resident. Her passport is in her maiden name, but her DL and Green Card are in her married name. We are flying domestically to LA and then on to Australia, and she is very concerned. Do I need to ticket her domestic flight in her married name (to match DL and Green Card) and her international ticket in her maiden name (to match the passport)? She's afraid she might have problems getting back in the country due to the last name on her Green Card not matching her passport & return ticket.
Hi Tom. Your wife should be fine as long as she brings a supporting document explaining the shift in her name history, such as a certified copy of her marriage certificate.
Hi my name is Althea, quick question , my visa is in my married name, my passport was expired so I had to change it to my maiden name because I got a divorce now am traveling but booked my ticket in the married name would it pose a problem in traveling
Yes, it could be a problem. You can bring supporting documents to explain the name difference, such as your divorce certificate. There's no guarantee that will be sufficient. If you can, try to get your ticket changed to match your passport.
Hello everyone. First time traveling from Germany to US. What about this situation. You travel with your old passport, available, you are married, changed your name but not yet your name in your pass, only in your ID card (for example). Can you be asked at the security if you are married, can you be asked if you changed your name and why don't you already changed your pass? When traveling to Israel it was like a big interview at the security check point…. Thanks a lot in advance!!
You may be asked this, but having a certified copy of your marriage certificate with you will answer it.
Hello! I have read and re-read through this a bunch of times. I just want to be sure. I am married and legally changed my name. I just bought international airline tickets under my maiden name to exactly match my passport. Will I be ok to do this? When they scan my passport, can they see my name has changed? I am feeling very anxious. Just making sure I can safely travel using my maiden name on my tickets and passport. Thank you!!
You did it right.
No.
You've got it all sorted out nicely.
Hello,
I got married & I changed my last name. I live in California & I got my drivers license through the SB160 law. I changed my name on my drivers license already. But i was told not to travel with that ID. So I went to change my name on my Mexican passport. I will be traveling inside the US, and i booked my flight with my new married last name but my Mexican passport has my full name & my married last name is under conyugal last name. My question is do i have to change my flight ticket name to my full name & my married last name as a third last name? Or it should not be a problem
Hi Tania. You'll have to contact the airline to determine the acceptability of your Mexican passport. You can inquire if they'll accept the ticket as-is while showing your marriage certificate as a supporting document.
I am traveling to Mexico in January. I am going to get my passport this week. When I got married, I changed my name with social security, but not my license. So my new social security card has my married name and my license has my maiden name. I don't want to change my license, because I am getting divorced and want to change my last name back to my maiden name with the social security office. Will I be able to get a passport in my maiden name?
Hi Elizabeth. If you can provide sufficient identity documents in your maiden name, you should be able to renew your passport or get a new one.
Hi my wedding is in November of this year and my husband book our honeymoon for Jamaica about a week after in my maiden name. We found out a week ago that I’m pregnant and decided to go ahead and get married so because I’ve had health problems and no insurance.
We are changing are destination to the Bahamas because my dr strongly advised against anywhere with the Zika virus currently present. My question is if my ticket, my passport are in my maiden name …. because I wasn’t expecting to get married ahead of time…. will this affect our travel? All the travel insurance is in my maiden name as well. :( I’m afraid if I change something I might forget all the things that need changing.
No, they should be in your maiden name. You're good to go.
Hi!
I am a Texas resident who just got married and I was only able (or at least so I thought) to put my current name (ie maiden name) on the marriage license which became the marriage certificate. I am trying to gather the information needed to change my name on my passport and was told this document was not sufficient as it does not show my name change. Have you heard of anything like this? I am not sure what other kind of accepted document to get in order to prove my name change.
Thanks!
Hi Madi. This wouldn't apply to Texas marriage certificates because Texas marriage license applications don't provide spots to specify a new last name after marriage. Not all states do. The certificate should be usable as-is.
I’m getting my Passport for the first time. I’m Divorced, and I restored my maiden name at that time.Do I need to include my divorce decree in with my Passport application to show my Name was legally changed back to my maiden name since that’s what name will be on my passport.Thanks.
Yes, a certified copy.
I got married almost 2 years ago in 2016. On our marriage license or states my new last name is Janas. However, I have not changed anything to my new last name (DL, SS, credit cards, bank accounts etc.). During this time, my passport expired and I hadn’t realized it because we were so busy. Can I just renew my passport with my old last name or do I need to apply for an entirely new passport with my married name and subsequently have to change everything else to match?
Yes, you can renew your password in your old name, which is actually still your current name.
Thank you so much!!!
If I have a passport with my maiden's name that's not expired yet and now I'm married and my husband is UK based needs to invite me, do I need to get a new passport or apply for visa with my maiden's name with marriage valid documentations?
Hi Debby. Your unexpired passport is fine to use as-is.
I have recently sent in application for a passport. And while checking to make sure they received it, notice that is being processed under my maiden name. When clearly everything was filed out in my legal name, my ID has my legal name. The only thing that didn’t was my birth certificate. What should I do?
1) Did you specify a new name in your passport application?
2) Did you include a certified copy of your marriage certificate
3) Do you know for sure the reference to your maiden name is just meant to cite the current name on your passport and not what the State Department will ultimately change it to?
Ok. I've read through everything. I booked an extremely low mistake fare from Salt Lake City to New Zealand for $390 round trip. I booked for my whole family and my son's girlfriend. They got married 2 months later. We thought they would wait until the Fall. Her passport had to be renewed and thus has her new married name which is only the last and kept her middle name.
I called United Airlines. The international desk said to cancel the ticket and repurchase the ticket. I had looked up the cost for a flight leaving super soon. $4500. I'm like for reals?! Can't we just bring her birth certificate, marriage license, driver's license school records and explain? The lady started making notes in our records. I told her that it shouldn't be to hard to change this. She said, it wouldn't be if the whole flight was traveling on United but that from San Francisco to NZ and back is on Air New Zealand.
If she were to change the name on united then the ticket on Air New Zealand would cancel out. What a nightmare. I am a frugal traveler. Do I go the rest of the trip and act like I knew nothing? I asked her what she wrote and she wrote that a new last name would be listed in the record but not on the ticket.
I guess if I'm going to have to pay wouldn't it be best to tell my son and daughter In-law that we will be risking them either staying home if they wont be allowed on the flight or left in New Zealand on an extended vacation? Joking of course. What has anyone done in this case?
That might work, but it might fail. It's up to the airline staff. They could refuse to board your son's girlfriend. You may want to contact Air New Zealand and get their reply in writing.
Hi there,
Got a doozie for ya!
My current passport says my OLD married name. I got divorved in 2016. I changed my name legally back to my maiden name, but did not on my passport. Fast forward to present. I remarried this past week, and went to SS office and changed my name with them to my new married name (maiden name is now middle name). I booked our honeymoon months ago in my maiden name. The airline will not change my ticket to new married name, so I applied today to change my passport back to my maiden name to match my ticket with my divorce decree from 2016.
Will passport processing still process my request to change to maiden name, although I recently changed my name with SS ONLY. I have not changed my name at DMV or bank etc.
Thank you!
Yes, as long as satisfactory supporting documentation (i.e., divorce decree with restored maiden name order) is provided.
My situation is – after the divorce I changed my last name back to Maiden name and just recently received my new updated DL.
My plane ticket – still under married last name
My passport – still under married last name
My DL – I do have both old (married last name) and new (maiden name)
Jetblue doesn't allow name change on ticket. So am I safe to just use my passport to board? Passport name matches Ticket name.
Thank you.
Hi JC. Yes, you're fine.
I apologize if this question is redundant to any of the above information.
I got married last June 2017, but wanted to wait to change my name until I finish my PhD this summer 2018 and start my new job to avoid the paperwork involved at my school. I have been informed, however, that in order to have my married name on my diploma, I need to have proof of my name change by August 15, 2018. However, I will be traveling to China and Japan at the end of June, and to Bermuda from Jul28-Aug4, both of which I will need my passport.
Can I just apply for my name change now since it might take a while, but just not update my social security, driver's license, and passport until August 4 so that I can travel under my maiden name? Or can I update my SS and still travel internationally? I assume that just showing my school the updated SS may be enough. I'm just not sure whether it is legal to petition for a name change, but then not change my SS/license etc. for a few months. I live in Massachusetts FYI.
Apply with who? Your school?
You can update your social security card not and continue to travel under your unchanged passport.
They may want to also see a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
I'm not sure which entity you're referring to when you say "petition for a name change." Even if you were referring to a court, obtaining a court order still does not legally obligate you to follow through with the name change.
Hi Valera,
Thank you for the feedback! What I meant by apply/petition for my name change has to do with the Massachusetts form I have to fill out. The form is called a "Petition for Change of Name" which then has to be seen by a judge, who then grants the petition or decline it. I have heard that this can take a few weeks to over a month (although I don't know for sure).
So what it sounds like you are saying is that I can submit the petition and have it accepted by a judge, but that my name isn't legally changed until I contact SS. Is this true? I was under the perhaps false opinion that when the judge accepts my petition, that my name has technically legally changed at that moment.
From there, it sounds like I would either have the option to change my SS immediately after the petition is granted, and go to China as long as my maiden name on my passport matches my travel documents (I will just need to check what documents the visa application process requires). Or I could wait until I land back in the United States to contact SS and have my name officially changed in July. It sounds like my school just needs the SS changed as proof.
Correct. Once you have your court order in hand, you can go to the social security office.
No, at that point you're allowed to legally change your name or not change it.
Correct.
That's an option.
They may also need to see your marriage certificate.
I am traveling to Canada (by plane) in a couple weeks. Not enough time for me to renew my passport (that is only 13 months old) in my married name, (nor do I really want to pay $110 or $170 expedited). If we purchase the plane ticket with my maiden name, which is the name on my passport will that sufficient for travel? Will they ask for any other form of ID or is it just the passport ?
That would be enough.
Possibly. If so, you can bring identity documents in your maiden name. If you have no such document, you can present your marriage certificate. It's also a good idea to bring any available ID in your new name.
Hi Valera,
Similar questions that I've seen above, but just want to double check.
I have recently got married and changed my last name to reflect on my SS, DL, bank cards, etc. My passport still has my maiden name and doesn't expire for a few more years. I also have a valid DL with my maiden name on it as well. We are planning a trip to Europe from the US in a couple months and I don't intend on applying for a new passport prior to the trip.
As long as I book my flights reflecting my maiden name, I should be good to go, correct?
If everything is going to reflect my maiden name, is it necessary to bring our marriage certificate along? Should I be sure to bring my DL that is in my maiden name as well?
Thank you for your time!
Correct.
Yes, to both. It's a good idea to bring supporting documentation with you if it's asked for.
Hello,
I got married a little over two years ago and finally got around to changing my name with SS, bank, etc.
I got my passport about 6 months ago under my maiden name – not sure if I should do a DS-82 form or a DS-5504 form?
Also, I got my TSA precheck around 6 months ago as well, also under my maiden name. Do I need to reapply? Or can I just submit a name chance?
Thank you so much
Hi Jessica. If you want to replace your current passport with a new passport that contains your married name, you can. You don't have to, but you can.
You'd use form DS-5504 if the previous renewal took place less than a year ago, otherwise you'd use form DS-82.
Hi,
I have passport in my maiden name…. on green card is my new last (husband`s) name.
I taught to get new passport (while on vacation) with my NEW last name (replace old one with my maiden name on it), but question is How to book fly ticket to match name on passport?
Old pasport-maiden name
New passport will be with new name.
Should I book a ticket with first-maiden-new names and have a green card, marriage certificate and old passport as proof of name changes or ?
Thank you
BTW…the Embassy in Chicago told me that only way to get new passport with new name on it is to get in home country, for some reason they can't do it here in Chicago.
Or just book ticket as FIRST NAME – NEW NAM ?
Hi Lela. Simply put, the name on your ticket must match the name on your current passport. If you change your passport name to your married name, your ticket should be in your married name. If you haven't yet updated your passport, you'd book your tickets in your current, pre-marriage name.
Hi Val, thanks for all the info! I read through the posts and saw my question many times, but I wanted to ask again in case rules have changed at all.
I have a passport issued in my maiden name. Changed my name with SS and DMV to my married name, but have not changed my name on my passport. As long as I book my ticket to Thailand under my maiden name (which is on my passport), I should be OK, yes? Driver's license name doesn't matter in this case, correct?
THANK YOU!
Hi Jillian. You're correct on both points.
Thanks for this awesome info.
Does a marriage license with my maiden name on it count as a "name change" document if I didn't change my name until a few weeks after we married (and I did the name change on my social security card)?
I changed my name to a hyphenated last name:
FIRST, MIDDLE, MAIDEN-SPOUSE.
I just want to make sure that will satisfy the requirement to get a passport renewal.
You would need to present a certified copy of your marriage "certificate" not your marriage "license." In some state's they're actually one and the same.
The license is the document you'll get before you're married. The certificate is what you'll get after your married and your marriage has been recorded by the state.
Thank you for these answers! I just want to make sure I am in the clear. I am traveling to Canada from the US in 2 months. My passport is expired. I have gotten married and changed my name since my last passport, so I am submitting a renewal form with new name.
It asks for a certified marriage license, which I do have, however it has my maiden name on it (don't they all?). Is that enough to satisfy the requirement? Or was I supposed to get a court order for my name change?
I already had my name changed on my social security card, but it says that document will not satisfy the requirement.
My main question is, before I mail in my renewal form with marriage license, do I also need to get a Court Order or anything else with my actual new legal name on it to get my new passport approved? I don't have time for it to get rejected and resent.
Thanks for your help!
Some, not all.
Assuming you were married in a state where the application never asked you to specify a new name after marriage, the certificate is all you'll need.
Correct.
No, with the caveat mentioned above taken into account.
Hi, I have a similar situation that has probably been answeeed many times already. I live in Utah, I’m getting married beginning of March, but I have a New York trip booked for June, which was planned a looong time ago. It’s booked under my current maiden name, and so is my passport. Can I change legally change my last name to his before that and still travel since the ticket and my passport are still the same?
Yes, as long as the ticket and passport names match you're good to go.
I recently got married and my son and I don't share the same last name. How can I travel oversees with him if they check his birth certificate and it has my maiden last name not my married last name.
Hi Katie. You can bring along a copy of your birth certificate.
My passport expired 6 months ago with my maiden name. My marriage certificate has my maiden name on it but I changed my last name with social security and my drivers license about a year ago. I would like my passport to be in my new last name. Is that possible without changing my last name through the courts?
Yes, it's possible. You don't have to go through the courts.
Hi, i need a good advise asap. Thanks.
Im from philippines ,i just renewed my passport into married name in the Philippines , now im currently living in china with my family visa valid till august 2018,im going back to Philippines to pick up my new married passport,my question is will be there an issue for me to enter back here in china if my visa is on my maiden name and my passport is married name?
Hi Anne. You'll want to maintain documentation tying your old name to your new name. For instance, a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you can prove your identity, then you should be okay.
I recently got married, changed everything to my husband’s last name and pushed my maidens name as my middle name. My my passport is still under my maiden could i purchase my ticket under my maiden to avoid hassles?
Hi Day. Yes, you can still purchase a ticket under your maiden name.
Hi Valera, I got married a couple of years ago and changed my DL and SSN to my married name. I need to renew my passport now and would like to keep it in my maiden name. Do they check whether your name has been legally changed when renewing the document? Is there any way to keep the passport in my maiden name?
Thank you!
You can renew in your maiden name.
Thank you for the quick response!
Me and my family will to go for a trip outside the US.I am a greencard holder.I came to the US with my ex-husband's name on my passport.I remarried again here and i am carrying all the documents from my husband now.So my passport and greencard Has different family name.I had already my plane ticket under the name of my passport.But the only thing is and worried about is to re-enter the US with different family name.Do theyvallow me to re-enter the US since i have my greencard?Please advice!!
Hi Sasha. If you can satisfactorily confirm your identity, you should be fine. Bring your old identification, new identification, and a certified copy of your marriage certificate with you.
My case is a little similar that some people, but I am worried I don't be able to travel, from USA to Colombia. I booked my ticket in my married name, but my passport is with my maiden. Someone just told me I did wrong, and now I am panicking…
I called the travel agency and they won't change the name or do a refund.
Any suggestions?
Someone told me that If I travel with my U.S id, green card (that has married name) and passport ( that has maiden) plus my marriage license ( that has the name change) would they might accept it enable for me to travel?
Any help would be appreciate it.
Hi Evelyn. You should be okay if you have sufficient supporting documentation linking the two names, such as a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Hi, my wife and I are planning on booking international travel soon from the US to Italy for June 2018. She has recently changed her name legally, but not on her passport (which still has her maiden name). She wants to do a name change on her passport soon, as it's free if she gets it done before March 2018 (which is one year since it was issued). When she does this, her new passport will have a new passport number.
My question is, can we book the flights soon (before she gets her new passport) and use her married name for the reservations, since by June 2018 that's what her new passport will say? Will there be an issue since it'll be a new passport number? Any advice?
Hi Mike. If you book the flights in the name that will appear on her passport come travel time, you'll be fine. The changing passport numbers aren't important.
My wife and I were just married in August, and will be flying from Washington, DC to Bangkok for our honeymoon in December (short layover in PEK). When originally booking, I had used her maiden name and in the craziness of getting married, we changed her last name without thinking of any potential issues that might come up for travel. Since her old passport expired, her new one has the new name.
We first reached out to Expedia about a potential name change a month ago, and were instructed to provide them with copies of the old passport, new passport, and marriage certificate. After weeks of back and forth with Expedia (Air China would not discuss any changes with us directly, only the booking company) we were told the only option would be to book a whole new ticket under the new name at the new price at an increase from $1200 roundtrip to over $3500. Only after we book AND use the second new ticket, would Air China offer to refund the original $1200 booking. This is not a cancellation of the first, Sarah will have two tickets but only use one.
All that said, we have spent days trying to figure out alternatives and are looking for any advice, since this seems like an egregious charge for a simple change. TSA informed me, as long as she brings her birth certificate, marriage certificate, old/new passports, she can get through fine. However, will the airline check IDs and compare to the boarding pass? And how will we be affected with security at Beijing or Bangkok?
I believe there is always the option of changing her name back and applying for a whole new passport, but at this point I don't think we have time – though we are looking into this seriously. Any suggestions, experience or advice on this one?
Hi Russell. What typically gets people into trouble with mismatched names on a passport and ticket is insufficient supporting documentation explaining the change. If the name change is due to marriage and a passenger fails to bring a certified copy of their marriage certificate to justify it, how does anyone know the change was legit. If you bring sufficient supporting documentation you should be ok.
What happened? I am in the same exact situation now! I was planning to use my maiden name passport (have SSC and DL changed to married name but not passport yet) and my husband booked our China Air flights from the US to Bangkok in my married name – doh! Did having the marriage cert and birth cert in addition to DL and passport work ?! Thanks! We leave the country in 6 days and I'm freaking out!
At a minimum you could contact the airline about your situation. They may be able to reissue tickets.
You may have been asked this already, but… My fiance and I want to book a ticket to travel abroad two months after our wedding. I plan on changing my last name to his last name. According to the courthouse, I HAVE to change my SS within 30 days of the wedding. My license also expires prior to us leaving abroad. My passport is currently in my maiden name and is not expiring any time soon. I can expedite it to my married name after the wedding. I'm wondering how to book a ticket for abroad now. If I change my SS, license, and passport immediately after the wedding, prior to flying abroad, how do I book the ticket now? What name do I put the ticket under? Usually you have to type in a passport number when you're booking a flight abroad. Will my passport number change on my passport, or just my name? What are my options in this scenario?
If you know your name change will be processed before traveling, you can book it under your new name.
Just your name.
Hello,
I am living overseas in Europe. My husband I got married several years ago, and have an attested marriage certificate. My passport has my maiden name and this now requires renewal by mail.
How do I request to have the new passport state a double hyphenated last name, for instance Anna Polianski-Carew. Carew is his name, while my maiden name is Polianski. All other documents in Europe state both my married name and maiden name (this is how banks and residency cards work here).
Thank you in advance,
Anna
Hi Anna. The passport form would ask you to specify your new name and previous name.
Hello,
I’m an immigrant (out of status) who is under AOS processing through u.s citizen marriage. My I-485 is still pending for an interview. I only got EAD card (I-766) serves as I-512 advance parole which has my maiden name as my middle name and my new married last name on both of them. My foreign passport still has maiden name on it and it’s a renew one so it doesn’t have a stamp or I-94 with it. (it’s too complicated to change at this time).
Well, my problem is I have a domestic flight coming up the end of this October from LGA – MCO round trip and I booked the tickets with JetBlue with all of my “new name”. I wasn’t sure about my status at that time and I thought to avoid those problem, I should use my new name and use my EAD card for boarding. After I did a couple more of researching, I found that doesn’t sound good to me. And to change name on air tickets are complicated too.
So, my questions are;
1. Can I keep the boarding pass with my married name and use EAD card as my I.D? This is the only latest photo I.D that issues from the U.S government I have. (I’ll bring all docs that would needed with my trip just to be safe)
2. Can I use my state I.D (with conditions)? I have New York state I.D valid through 2020 with my maiden name on it. BUT it shows “temp. visitor Exp.2011” in red. I usually use this I.D for traveling, since everything ha changed so I’m not really sure about it. Plus I have to go through changing name process with the airline.
Please help!
Thank you so so so much ??
Hi AngieK. If you're unable to change your airline tickets to match, you'll need to bring sufficient supporting documentation bridging your names, such as a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Hi I booked my mom an international flight from US to UK.
Her name on Mexican Passport is something like this (this is an example of her name but not the real one)
Given name: Maria de Jesus
Surnames: Gonzalez Rodriguez
Married Name: Ayala
Green Card Name: Maria Jesus Gonzalez de Ayala (DOES NOT HAVE Rodriguez)
So I booked her as:
First Name: Maria
Middle Name: Jesus
Last Name: Gonzalez Rodriguez Ayala
Will this be a problem? I feel like I overdid it in the booking. But I wanted all last names in there to avoid problems.
Thanks!
Hi Susi. I doubt it would pose a problem. She can bring a certified copy of her marriage certificate for good measure.
HI i was recently married and changed my last name but my passport is still valid with my maiden name and I have pre tsa check with my maiden name
do you think it is fine to book my domestic flight with maiden name and use my passport as identification ?
Hi Jessica. Yes, you're fine using your current passport.
Hello — I am in California, USA and will be traveling to Czech Republic, Germany, and Holland in a few weeks. My passport is in my maiden name (only). My plane tickets are in my married name (only). My driver's license and social security cards have both names (not hyphenated). So as an example – my DL and SSC look like this: Lisa Marie Smith Jackson. So passport has Smith only and plane ticket has Jackson only. If I bring my DL, SSC, and even a copy of my marriage certificate – which all have BOTH names on them — will I be ok? Please say yes!!
Actually……I just noticed that I put BOTH last names on my plane ticket. So my passport has my maiden last name ONLY, and my plane ticket has BOTH last names – maiden and married. I assume that is better?? Will I be ok to travel internationally now?? Thx (Jennifer, again)
Hi Jennifer. Same as before. You have supporting documentation and there isn't much to reasonably question your identity. It's unlikely you'll face any real problem.
Hi Jennifer. It's not good for your passport and airline ticket names to mismatch, but it's not necessarily a certain blockade. If you have sufficient supporting documents explaining the discrepancy, you may be allowed to pass through. But this isn't guaranteed. Also, make sure you marriage certificate is a certified copy and not a photocopy.
Finally, if you have enough time to update your passport before your travel, you may want to do so. The passport agency does provide an expedited option for an extra fee.
My wife is here on a green card. Her green card has her new last name on it, and her maiden name as her middle name. Tickets are booked under her new full name. Her passport has her maiden name on it. Is this going to cause an issue. We are planning on bringing a certified copy of the marriage certificate
International flight by the way.
Hi Tony. There's no guarantee it won't be a problem, but having supporting documentation (e.g., marriage certificate) to explain the difference definitely helps.
Hi,
I have a question for my wife entering U.S. for a short trip.
– She is in Thailand now.
– She holds a old Thai passport(expired) with valid b1/b2 visa under maiden name.
– renew Thai passport under new last name(through marriage).
– She bought ticket with her new last name.
I am applying CR-1 visa for her currently.
do you think she will have problem entering U.S.A. with the b1/b2 visa that is under maiden names on her old expired passport?
Hi Mike. If she has supporting documentation explaining and bridging the name differences, including ID (expired or not), in the old name, she should be fine. She should also keep a certified copy of the marriage certificate with her.
Thank you Velera,
Forgot to mention that our marriage certificate is from Thailand (don't have one from the US yet), would that be a problem?
I submitted the Affidavit of support to National Visa Center few weeks ago and they received it, would there be any conflict?
Hi Mike. You may want to obtain a certified and notarized translation of the certificate.
Hello. Not sure if this situation has been brought up yet. I booked an international trip (with codeshare and multiple airlines) using my old name. I recently changed my name and now have in my possession a new passport with my new name. The passport and boarding pass names do not match and the airline said that they have no ability to change the name on the ticket because there are multiple airlines involved.
I do however, still have my old passport (name there matches my boarding pass/reservation name). Do you foresee TSA or other countries customs having issues with this? I will be sure to bring both passports on my trip (although the old one is likely nulled now) and my court order for legal name change. Thanks!
Hi Jay. It could result in delays while you present your supporting documents, but it also doesn't guarantee you won't be blocked. If you can present sufficient evidence, including a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you'll hold a stronger position.
a question for the USA
I called and spoke to Border Crossing Agents and have gotten a different answesr each time. I am a Canadian who got married may 2017. I need to make a trip to the USA but my passport is still under my maiden name. We have been evacuated with raging wildfires here in British Columbia and I was not able to gather all my info to change my passport. I am leaving very soon for the USA and I don't have time to get a new passport (which is only 5 moths old.) Will the USA still let me cross by vehicle with my last name legally being different from my passport? My DL ( I will not be the driver) is under my married name. Please help!
thank you!!
Hi Tamara. If you're the driver, then you'll have to produce your driver's license. The name mismatch will have to be explained, so provide as much corroborating documentary evidence as possible, including a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
If you're the passenger, it's possible you won't be asked for ID beyond your driver's license, but border crossing agents are still free to ask for any identification to satisfy themselves. There's no assurance this won't lead to a delay or refused entry, although the latter would be an extreme result.
Consider contacting the border crossing agents again to determine what additional proof you could supply (previous and new name) that would help your case. Gather names and reference numbers for your correspondences.
Hello,
I need to renew my expiring passport which was issued under my maiden name. I married and divorced, going back to my maiden name before my passport expired. When I submit my application for renewal, do I say that my name has changed since I had my passport issued (because technically it did but I changed it back, including with SSA and DL)? And will I need to submit the marriage license and divorce decree with the renewal application?
Or, can I say "no" to the question "Has your name changed since your most recent document was issued?" as my name is legally (with SSA and DL) my maiden name?
Hi AD. You'd answer no.
Hello-
My wife and I are planning to travel to Indonesia (her home country). She currently has an Indonesian passport with her maiden last name. She received her I-131 (approved Advance Parole) with her new, married name. Should I purchase the ticket with her new, married name and quickly apply for a new passport, purchase a ticket with her maiden name (which matches her current passport), even though the I-131 has her married name?
Thank you!
Sorry, I meant the to spell it out as two separate options:
1) Should I purchase the ticket with her new, married name and quickly apply for a new passport, or
2) Purchase a ticket with her maiden name (which matches her current passport), even though the I-131 has her married name?
Hi Ryan. Ticket and passport names should match. Bring the marriage certificate and other supporting documents to corroborate the marriage's existence and new name if necessary.