Using passport after changing my name...

annmarie714

My passport is in my maiden name (I got it when I was 16) and I have since changed my name after the wedding.  H is in school in MI, pretty close to Canada, and we wanted to travel over there and spend the day.  Can I use my old passport with my maiden name or do I need to go through and change my name on it before I can use it?

Maggie0829

Since you have changed your last name legally to that of your H then yes, you will have to change your name on your passport.

GoodLuckBear14

 Your passport has to have yoru legal name on it.

alithebride

you should change it but since the passport office and social security offices are not linked the guy at the border won't know. using maiden is fine.

hz80408

As long as your passport is valid; you can still use it, just be sure that any travel you do is booked in the name on your passport. (although for Canada you should be fine)

lyndausvi

Yes it should be changed once you changed your name.  But like pp said, as long as it's valid it will be fine.  

To make things easier,  don't even tell them you have a new name.  Just hand them your passport and move on. 

[Deleted User]

Agreed. The border guards only care that your passport is valid.  Not sure how old you are now, you said you got your passport when you were 16. Is it still valid?  They are only valid for 5 years.

HobokensFury

I traveled under my maiden name after changing my name. It's really common. Just have a copy of your ML just in case there is a problem.

annmarie714

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:5cd68f0f-4e58-4209-9f91-f08fc5fb1561">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]Agreed. The border guards only care that your passport is valid.  Not sure how old you are now, you said you got your passport when you were 16. Is it still valid?  They are only valid for 5 years.
Posted by trinitygc[/QUOTE]

I was told it's good for 10 years.  I'm 24. 

Thanks for the advice, ladies.  I'll get it changed just to be sure!

dplett

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:a9381f79-c3f2-41c2-a092-f45f692378c3">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Using passport after changing my name... : <strong> I was told it's good for 10 years.  I'm 24.</strong>  Thanks for the advice, ladies.  I'll get it changed just to be sure!
Posted by annmarie714[/QUOTE]

This would worry me more than the legal name.  I've never heard of a passport being valid for ten years.  Also, if you are getting it changed, make sure you give yourself enough time.  Depending on the process you choose it could take a while to get it back.

That said, maiden name on your passport is fine.  I would probably carry a copy of the marriage license too just in case something comes up.  Not sure how it works where you live but in Canada your maiden name will always be a legal name for you even if you change your name after getting married. 

arrestclementine

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:2fae8c2a-7381-4c71-b95d-24b0d2bb5b4a">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Using passport after changing my name... : This would worry me more than the legal name.  <strong>I've never heard of a passport being valid for ten years.</strong>  Also, if you are getting it changed, make sure you give yourself enough time.  Depending on the process you choose it could take a while to get it back. That said, maiden name on your passport is fine.  I would probably carry a copy of the marriage license too just in case something comes up.  Not sure how it works where you live but in Canada your maiden name will always be a legal name for you even if you change your name after getting married. 
Posted by dplett[/QUOTE]

You are wrong. From the US Dept. of state website (<a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/faq/faq_1741.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://travel.state.gov/passport/faq/faq_1741.html)</a>:

<span class="questionLabel">Q:</span>How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?

<span class="answerLabel">a:</span>If you were <strong>over age 16</strong> when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for <strong>10 years</strong>. <p>If you were <strong>age 15 or younger</strong> when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for <strong>5 years</strong>. </p> <p>The <em>Issue Date</em> of your passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card. </p> If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

freebread03

If you're not flying, you're likely fine using that passport.  However, if you are flying, you need to make sure the name you enter when you buy your tickets matches the ID you will be using.  If it doesn't, yes, you can resolve with your marriage lisence, but it's a real pain and I would recommend avoiding that.

hz80408

Like pp stated, passports issued for those 16+ are valid for 10 years.

[Deleted User]

Lucky!  In Canada passports are only valid for 5...

As long as it's valid you'll be fine. 

vexie

I've been married for over a year and have yet to change my passport (it expires next year and I'm too cheap to spend all that money early lol)  I've changed my name to my huband's on all my other ID but have crossed the border several times using my passport with my maiden name and they've never once asked about it.  

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:2fae8c2a-7381-4c71-b95d-24b0d2bb5b4a">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Using passport after changing my name... : This would worry me more than the legal name.  <strong>I've never heard of a passport being valid for ten years.</strong> 
Posted by dplett[/QUOTE]

Every passport I've had -- the first was issued in 1977 when I was 16 -- has been valid for 10 years.  My son's first 2 passports were valid for 5 years (both issued under age 16).

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:c992d120-32d1-417a-89d2-98b429bbcc3a">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you're not flying, you're likely fine using that passport.  However, if you are flying, you need to make sure the name you enter when you buy your tickets matches the ID you will be using.  If it doesn't, yes, you can resolve with your marriage lisence, but it's a real pain and I would recommend avoiding that.
Posted by freebread03[/QUOTE]

incorrect. you cannot use your marriage license to show proof of name change for air travel. the passport MUST match the ticket.

and yes-passports are valid for 10 years.

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_using-passport-after-changing-my-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:74e5534c-ca34-40a1-83bf-cd3bc4f5ee73Post:452a5f9b-4f4f-4660-90ba-a964e9d14bae">Re: Using passport after changing my name...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Using passport after changing my name... : incorrect. you cannot use your marriage license to show proof of name change for air travel. the passport MUST match the ticket. and yes-passports are valid for 10 years.
Posted by alithebride[/QUOTE]

THIS

.  *Maybe*  TSA *might* allow a marriage license as proof of a name change for a domestic flight, but foreign countries will not.

Giaspo

If you have to go before you can change your passport, be sure to be "fully armed" with old and new IDs, marriage license, etc.  I just did this on Monday and today but the reverse situation - flew under an old ticket with my old name, and brought my new passport with my new name.  No one even blinked an eye in two major US airports.  I wasn't going international, though.