Name change a honeymoon issue?

ebachelder

This may have been posted before... but is the name change a honeymoon issue?  How do I prepare for that?  Should I do the name change after we return from the honeymoon?

mysticl

If you are flying the name on your ID must match the name on the plane ticket.  If you are leaving on your honeymoon right away there may not be time for the paperwork to process for you to be able to obtain an ID with your new name on it.  Check the marriage license requirements for your state, not just how to obtain one but the process for filing it after the wedding. 

Heather822

Assuming you are leaving for your honeymoon relatively soon after the wedding, you will not have time to change your name legally. You need to wait for your marriage license to be filed... a process I was quoted as taking 2-5 weeks. Then you need to go to the SS Office and DMV, and if you have a passport, that also takes a few weeks to change.

SuMmErKuTiE

If you're leaving for your HM right after the wedding you should book everything in your maiden name because if you're flying and/or cruising your travel documents must match your government issued ID's (drivers license, passport, etc.) I didn't change my name until we got back which was fine.

alithebride

if you tell us your plans and what you're doing we can tell you a bit more specifically if it's an issue or not. are you flying? driving? domestic? international? cruise? what's the plan?

goaliegirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_name-change-honeymoon-issue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:8921c8e2-eed5-4afd-b7b3-93c3d4e41fbdPost:1511d06f-58e9-4ade-8161-cce2ed14c0c5">Re: Name change a honeymoon issue?</a>:
[QUOTE]if you tell us your plans and what you're doing we can tell you a bit more specifically if it's an issue or not. are you flying? driving? domestic? international? cruise? what's the plan?
Posted by alithebride[/QUOTE]

It makes no difference what the travel plans are!  

Bottom line is that you name on your ID must match your travel documents.  As the others have said, if you are leaving right away after your wedding, you will not have time to do this so book in your maiden name.  If you are postponing your HM for a few months and will have time to do it then book in your married name.    

Some women never change their name when they get married so the authorities at the airports, etc don't care whether you are married or not, they just want matching ID to your travel documents!    It is very simple.

emilyinchile

It does make a difference what her travel plans are - if she's driving somewhere within the US and only wants to know if it's ok to book the hotel under "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" then yes, that's fine, the hotel doesn't care that your last name on your driver's license isn't Smith yet. If, however, she needs to have changed her IDs in order to be allowed on a flight or something, then it matters.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_name-change-honeymoon-issue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:8921c8e2-eed5-4afd-b7b3-93c3d4e41fbdPost:03741502-27e1-4642-8aff-b40798e681d2">Re: Name change a honeymoon issue?</a>:
[QUOTE]It does make a difference what her travel plans are - if she's driving somewhere within the US and only wants to know if it's ok to book the hotel under "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" then yes, that's fine, the hotel doesn't care that your last name on your driver's license isn't Smith yet. If, however, she needs to have changed her IDs in order to be allowed on a flight or something, then it matters.
Posted by emilyinchile[/QUOTE]

<div>Additionally Ali was asking WHEN OP was traveling which would also make a difference.  If the HM is say 2 months after the wedding she could change her name in time for a dr license for domestic travel.  However for international travel she would have to expedite the passport to change her name.  </div>