Passport - name change

jessica0602

FI and I have decided to postpone our honeymoon for a month after the wedding, which puts us into December.  I'm trying to get my name changed on all of my stuff before the end of the year.  Does anyone know if there's any way to get my name changed on my passport without having to pay $100 all over again?  I got it in July of last year so it's over the one year mark.  Seems ridiculous to me, but whatever.

ButtonsPepper

There is a renewal form you can get, instead of a brand new one. I'll check the fee and get back to you this afternoon, it's in my car cause FI has to change his address on his. I would think it would be less expensive just to change it

tracyd21

I think you have to get a new one, sorry. Mine didn't cost $100 though - I think it's less $$ to change your name, but don't hold me to it. Are you going to try and change your name before your honeymoon?

HeatherWain

If you got your passport less than a year ago, there is NO charge to change your last name.  UNLESS you get it expedited.If I were you, I'd keep your current last name and then change it when you get back. http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html

jessicah628

I'm 90% sure that with a new name you have to get a completely new passport.

jessicah628

NM, Heather knows best.But you definitely need to change everything, or nothing, because it has to match your license.

ButtonsPepper

The main thing now our travel agent is telling us, what ever is going to be on your plane tickets, HAS to be on your passport, to the T. One little thing and it's a no go. So your ticket has to match your passport, and vice versa.

jessica0602

booo thanks gals.  i guess i will just wait to change it until after we get back.  i don't need the headache.  but at least we decided on a hm.  that pleases me more than you know.  i need an effing vacation.

Tracy325

I would wait and change your passport once you are back.  you dont want to have to deal with the headache of having to wait for it and pray it comes in on time for your trip.  You have to send them a certified copy of your marriage license as well, and that could take some time to come in too. I am still waiting for my stupid marriage cert to send mine in to have it redone.

foolforfood

Heather, thanks for the heads up.  I renewed my passport 3 months before my wedding to attend an overseas bparty.  I really didn't want to pay the fees a second time and for that reason, it's the one name change chore I've yet to complete.

jpfeifer

ditto HW.  The passport is all I have left to change and I am waiting until after our trip in Oct to change it.  If it is over a year old, you have to get a new one and pay for it.  Also make sure to use the regular application - don't completely fill out the name change one only to realize you can use it. 

[Deleted User]

I'm not sure how immigration or people working at the check in desk would know your passport and license do not match. I never show my license when I fly international. I just use alien ID card and passport on this side. I will change my SS#, license and US cc, before leaving PA and then change my passport, NHS (national healthcare), alien ID card and NI (like SS) after I arrive back in London.

HeatherWain

NCV, I don't think it's something that immigration necessarily checks but if you are asked to provide them with more information (i.e. more proof of who you actually are) I'm sure it wouldn't be fun to have a license (or government issued ID card) that didn't match the passport name. I wouldn't even want to start to have to explain that to an immigration clerk. Your passport should be the only thing they need to look at but they are immigration. They can pretty much ask anything of you if they find it necessary and you'd have to provide it. I'd simply go with the all or nothing rule as well.  And I'm sure there could be problems if you go to the SS office and change your last name but use your passport with your old last name (i.e. you didn't change it yet).

HeatherWain

OH and I meant this: I'm sure there could be problems if you go to the SS office and change your last name but use your passport with your old last name (i.e. you didn't change it yet). Because:Your passport is linked with your SS#. And if your old name is on your passport, it will not match the name associated with your SS#. Your passport will not be accurate information of who you really are.  I just went through this whole process.  I had to both update my passport with my new last name and renew my passport because it was going to expire in Feb '10. The young lad who I spoke with on the phone was very helpful and he was telling me all this shizz to make sure I didn't have any problems with the renewal and change.

Bellabride2B

Just wanted to lety you know, it does not matter if you change your ss and drivers liscence and not your passport.  I got married in November and changed my name 2 weeks after the wedding with SS and the DMV. I have still not changed my passport, and book all travel in my maiden name. I have been out of the country 4 times since then, and have never had one problem. Probably because when you use a passport, it is the only form of ID necesary. As far as linking to yor SS, the computer system they use at immagration does not link to your SS card. It just checks that your passport is valid and that you are a citizen. And, that is the only concern they have at immigration. I will not be changing my passport until it expires in 2 more years.

HeatherWain

Sheet, Bella. I was told the exact opposite of all of that on the phone about 3 weeks ago. gah!

Bellabride2B

I guess everyone has a different opinion, but when I went to SS the girl at the desk told me as long as I book travel in my Maiden name I would be fine if I did not change my passport. I guess it all depends on who you speak to!

HeatherWain

Yeah I guess it does matter who you talk to. I called the US Department of State # because I wasn't sure how to handle changing both my name and renewing my passport at the same time. I was surprised though. The guy I was talking to spoke beautiful English and I could understand every word he said. He very well could have been born here. I confess that I absolutely stereotyped my phone call prior to actually dialing the number. 

siseman

i opted not to change my name on my passport.  It expires next year anyway, so I will do it then.  IMO opinion $100 is steep for a name change.  Just book your flight in your maiden name so it matches your passport  I have gone out of country twice since I changed my name and noone even asked to see my license (only passport)

martinsgirls

My passport still has my maiden name but I got super nervous using it b/c all my other info has my married name on it. (I am just too cheap to renew-it expires next year)Another word of advice: Make sure your luggage tag matches the name on your ticket. I swear Jamaica Air was ready to leave my bag on the runway because the luggage tag had my married name and my ticket was under my maiden name. We got paged to the gate and I had to go confirm it was my bag!

[Deleted User]

I talked to the ladies on International Newlyweds and many of them have changed their passport and not SS or visa versa. No one has had a problem. Everyone there said the most important thing is to make sure your passport and visa match.