Best Time to Change Name

babyblues21

I need advice on when to change my name. I don't have a passport yet and will need to get one before our honeymoon. I've heard some people say you should wait until after the honeymoon but I'm concerned about having difficulty at the airport...I don't know. I've never flown before and am basically just confused. Any insight will help : )

PrincessJas

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_best-time-to-change-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:062afacf-18d7-424e-98e2-412e4c07feeaPost:02234511-947f-46cb-9753-9ef0754b6318">Best Time to Change Name</a>:
[QUOTE]I need advice on when to change my name. I don't have a passport yet and will need to get one before our honeymoon. <strong>I've heard some people say you should wait until after the honeymoon but I'm concerned about having difficulty at the airport</strong>...I don't know. I've never flown before and am basically just confused. Any insight will help : )
Posted by babyblues21[/QUOTE]

<div>There's a logistical reason for this.  A passport takes a minimum of 4 weeks to process, but I usually plan 8 weeks to be safe (US Department of State lists 4-6 weeks as average processing time).  Unless your honeymoon is 2 months or more after your wedding, you will need to apply for the passport before you will legally change your name (which doesn't make sense until you've signed the marriage license on your wedding day).  So if your honeymoon is right after the wedding, apply for the passport now, and change your name when you get back.  There should be no reason at all that travelling under your maiden name will cause any problems at the airport.  Good luck, and have fun!!</div>

SuburbsMrs

Are you going out of country for your honeymoon?

To fly domestic (in the US which includes the Hawaiian Islands) you only need a government issued ID like a drivers license. 

I only state this b/c I've known a lot of first time fliers that were confused on where passports were needed (not saying this is you). 

I didn't change my name till about 2 months later and my passport is still in my maiden name. I'll get to it sooner than later.

JaxInBlue

Your married name won't be official until after the wedding, and the things you need to change to get your passport won't be able to be changed until after the wedding.  I needed so show my marriage license to make most of my name changes happen - social security card, driver's license, bank accounts, etc.  You probably won't be able to make the changes you need to documents a passport application requires until after the wedding.

Book your honeymoon airline tickets under your maiden name, unless like PP said you have more than two months between your wedding and your honeymoon.  If you are traveling immediately after the wedding, get your passport in your maiden name, and then follow the procedures to change your name after your wedding is done and the change is official.

DG1

I recommend never. But if you must, then yes, wait until after the honeymoon to make the name change legal.

Heffalump

I flew on my maiden name passport on our honeymoon and I didn't have any trouble.  Get your passport now and then get a new one once you get your updated Social Security card and driver's license.

Wzz

i don't understand how this is even a question. you sort of don't have a choice but to wait until after the honeymoon, assuming the honeymoon happens within a day or two after the wedding.

you need to at least wait until after the wedding to  legally change your travel documents. you won't have a marriace certificate until then, and that is something you need to show the name change for a passport or photo ID.

you can change your credit cards and bills at home if you want to, but i don't see the point of doing that at all since it has nothing to do with travel.

i also know this is snarky of me, but you (general YOU) don't have a choice but to travel on your maiden name and wait to change it if you're using a legal photo ID of any sort to travel.

babyblues21

Thanks for the help : )