HM/Flying Question

Ms.BriarRose · September 2010

We are getting married on Oct 2, but not leaving for our HM until October 12. FI booked the HM, and he booked everything (flight, hotel, WDW tickets) in my maiden name.

During that time, should I wait to change my name? I don't want problems when we fly; if I change my name, and bring a copy of the marriage certificate, is that sufficient evidence?

Any thoughts on this?

Ms.BriarRose · September 2010

We are getting married on Oct 2, but not leaving for our HM until October 12. FI booked the HM, and he booked everything (flight, hotel, WDW tickets) in my maiden name.

During that time, should I wait to change my name? I don't want problems when we fly; if I change my name, and bring a copy of the marriage certificate, is that sufficient evidence?

Any thoughts on this?

miguelhilary2010 · September 2010

I would wait. It will make everything 100x easier for you to travel.

caraellen23 · September 2010

Definitely wait.

[Deleted User] · September 2010

Your name on your ticket has to match your name on your ID, so you need to wait.

[Deleted User] · September 2010

BTW hotels don't matter, I would guess WDW tickets don't matter, it's the plane that matters.

As an FYI passports, SSA, and DOT are not connected.

Ms.BriarRose · September 2010

I actually just called TSA and Southwest, and they said as long as I have a copy of our marriage certificate, we are fine. They said we just show it to the people at the checkin, and that's all they need.

ETA: I spoke with TSA again. They said that I need the marriage certificate and Drivers License, and that I would go through extra security measures (I would be wanded and patted down, which I have to be anyway because of my implant, and then they ask me some questions for me to verify I am who I say I am).

BUT, I called Southwest back, and talked to them again. They said that the first person support (the 800 number) cannot legally change your name, but if you are getting married, they can hyphenate your name, so it shows as maiden-married, which helps to show you are this person, and the TSA won't do as much screening.

The best part, though, she said is to call the customer service number (not the 800 number, you need to get this local number from the CSR. The number for Southwest is 214-792-4223), fax them a copy of your drivers license, your marriage certificate, and your flight confirmation ticket, and they do have legal authority to change your name on your boarding pass- eliminating all the issues.

This info came from Southwest, but I would assume it would work for any airline. When you call the 800 number, ask for the customer service number that you can fax to so they can change your name. Hope this helps someone!

nicole8586 · September 2010

I am adding a question.

Since I just got my passport this year and it has my maiden name, how do I travel internationally for the next 9+ years? Will I always fly as Nicole Maiden name?

miguelhilary2010 · September 2010

Nicole - You can change your passport for free if its within the first year! Get the paperwork at the post office.

Ms.BriarRose · September 2010

I'm bumping, since I added important info to my post above.

Nicole, ditto Hilary! And I believe that it doesn't take as long as getting it the first time did, but I may be wrong.

nicole8586 · September 2010

ohhh awesome. Do I get a new picture? Maybe I will get a new one with a nice HM tan!

caraellen23 · September 2010

MBR - thanks for the info. Seems like such a hassle though. If I were flying that close to my wedding, I'd honestly just wait.

miguelhilary2010 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_hmflying-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:63a95675-e3fe-46e3-82cc-cd39fd2cad31Post:f1eec022-b972-4437-8a02-ff794b4cbf4b">Re: HM/Flying Question</a>:
[QUOTE]ohhh awesome. Do I get a new picture? Maybe I will get a new one with a nice HM tan!
Posted by nicole8586[/QUOTE]

Haha I'm not sure of the new pic... it may just be paperwork.

Ms.BriarRose · September 2010

Cara, if we were flying out the day or 2 days after our wedding, I would wait. But since I have nothing to do because I can't work (I haven't been cleared yet), I have the time to sit at the DMV and SSA and change my name in that 10 day time period before we leave for our HM. And since all we have to do is fax in the paperwork and Southwest will change it for us, well, I am okay with that.

If I had to do that and also go through the other stuff, I would probably wait as well- though for me, like I said before, I have to be wanded and patted down anyway because of my implant, so what difference does it make? For someone who doesn't have to do all that, I can see how it would be a hassle.

I thought I would include it here and give the info anyway- you never know who wants to change their name so bad that they would go through it all!

[Deleted User] · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_hmflying-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:63a95675-e3fe-46e3-82cc-cd39fd2cad31Post:f1eec022-b972-4437-8a02-ff794b4cbf4b">Re: HM/Flying Question</a>:
[QUOTE]ohhh awesome. Do I get a new picture? Maybe I will get a new one with a nice HM tan!
Posted by nicole8586[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes you get a new picture. You get a whole new passport not an amended one. </div><div>It sucks because I had to get a new one in Feb and we're getting married next May so I'm over a year. I had to renew right away and it kills me I have to pay again. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>Wait until after the your HM to get a new DL MBR, that is way to too much trouble. From what girls say here it takes a few days for the certified copy to arrive at your house anyway. </div><div>From what I recall you don't fly much? You <em>really </em>don't want all that extra stuff to happen to you. Besides the fact you will get someone that does not know the rules and will have to call someone and you have to do what they say. </div><div>I always get pulled to the side in airports, for real, different US cities, India, UK, Aus, Spain, Ireland, for the Eurostar in France everywhere, I think there is a marker in my passport or something. Anyway it's really not fun. I would avoid it if you have the power, which in your case you do. IMHO. </div>

bigjajapoof · September 2010

When it comes to TSA and IF you are flying out of Philly I. I'd recommend waiting

caraellen23 · September 2010

I understand what you're saying MBR, but I have to agree with NCV and Poof. I think you are putting a lot of faith in the airline employees. I've had too many issues at airports before, I don't really trust anyone. I wouldn't want to mess with a flight when I'm thisclose to being on my honeymoon.

[Deleted User] · September 2010

MBR do you have a passport? You can use that as your ID and then change your DL right away.

PharmJen · September 2010

I personally think you're playing with fire changing your name before you travel. Trust me, just because you spoke with someone at Southwest's HQ, in no way translates to what someone with a bad attitude working the ticket counter at PHL will do when you get to the airport. And you don't know how long it will even take for you to get the certified copy of your marriage cert. You could be making all these calls for nothing if it doesn't show.

I'm 2 people in this universe and probably will be for a few years - I refuse to pay another $135 for a new passport just for a name change so until 2017, I will be travling internationally with my maiden name. It also takes light years for them to change my name at work so for all work-related stuff, I've also got to use my maiden name.

You may very well be fine but travelling can be such a nightmare that that I wouldn't chance it. But that's just me.

nicole8586 · September 2010

I agree with all of the above. I would stay maiden name until I returned.

LaRositaMonita · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_hmflying-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:63a95675-e3fe-46e3-82cc-cd39fd2cad31Post:aa7e83a4-c42a-4f09-8150-97659c8af265">Re: HM/Flying Question</a>:
[QUOTE]I personally think you're playing with fire changing your name before you travel. Trust me, just because you spoke with someone at Southwest's HQ, in no way translates to what someone with a bad attitude working the ticket counter at PHL will do when you get to the airport. And you don't know how long it will even take for you to get the certified copy of your marriage cert. You could be making all these calls for nothing if it doesn't show. [/quote]

This. I promise you that changing your name is not even a fun or exciting process. Just wait it out. Diney actually printed a new Key to the World Card for me on my honeymoon without my even asking because they were more excited than I was for my new name. Just leave the official name change until you come back and don't chance it, sweetie.

Stacylynn702 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_hmflying-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:63a95675-e3fe-46e3-82cc-cd39fd2cad31Post:18926ef2-3c0f-4038-af3a-37f0c7688296">Re: HM/Flying Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Nicole - You can change your passport for free if its within the first year! Get the paperwork at the post office.
Posted by miguelhilary2010[/QUOTE]

This is true but note that the first year means in 2010. So if your wedding is in December, you need to change it before 2011. This is what the lady at the post office told me. So, I'm getting it changed as soon as we get back from the HM.

PharmJen · September 2010

FWIW, when I purchased train tickets for my trip to France in 2008, I put my bday down as M/D/Y the way we do in the US. In Europe, it's D/M/Y. The guy who took my ticket once I was on board was such a jerkfacejerk, that he made me purchase ANOTHER TICKET because it didn't match my passport. This really nice woman next to me was trying to help me out and was yelling at him in French telling him it was just an honest mistake but he didn't budge (this was a 50 Euro ticket, so it wasn't cheap). This was just over a birthday.

zenjenn · September 2010

take it from someone who works for an airline...your ID has to match your ticket. we get new brides and women who just got divorced and want to get rid of hubby's name a lot. whether or not you've filled out the paperwork and such, if you haven't gotten the little change of information card it won't be valid. it's a LOT easier on you to just make the ticket under the name on your ID.

and PharmJen- We don't ALL have bad attitudes, thanks. Some of us like our jobs.

zenjenn · September 2010

ps: and no, southwest info is not good for all airlines.

<- SWA CSA. some airlines are realy picky, and TSA at Philly can be superpicky on some days. I've been challenged and I'm a frickin employee. I get wanded all the time too...and at PHL sometimes they decide to do an identity verification over the phone. Meh! Believe me when I tell you (and I hate to say this) our 1-800 people do not always have the best info about what happens at our ticket counter. I'd still recommend waiting, but we CAN always change it at the airport if TSA sends you back to us...it just emans more time out of your busy day.

I hope I was some help....I try.

PharmJen · September 2010

In Response to Re: HM/Flying Question:
[QUOTEand PharmJen- We don't ALL have bad attitudes, thanks. Some of us like our jobs.
Posted by zenjenn[/QUOTE]

I wasn't providing a blanket statement about all airline workers. But it is nice to know someone enjoys their job. = )

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