My passport in my maiden name and airline tickets are in my married name.?

Question

I am traveling to the Bahamas in January and my passport is in my maiden name and my airline tickets are in my married name. I contacted the airline and they had indicated to travel with my marriage certificate. I also contacted TSA and they stated to again to travel with my marriage certificate and contact the airline to have them add a note into the system stating that my passport is in my maiden. Has anyone else encounter this issue? If so was in the last 6 months to a year?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I have travelled with a colleague in the last year by air (within Europe). She was undergoing a divorce and her passport was in her married name and tickets in her maiden name.

The airline (British Airways) refused her board because the ticket and passport did not match. She had to have the tickets reissued (for a cost!) and we had to board a later flight. She had already confirmed with the travel company arranging the tickets on our behalf that this would not be a problem, and they had apparently had this confirmed in writing by the airline - but nevertheless it was still a problem when we came to board.

So personally I would either advise you to get a new passport in your married name, or to contact the airline to get the tickets reverted (in advance may mean at no cost?) to your maiden name. This way you can ensure you can travel both ways without worrying if you are going to get refused board. Best to take no risks.

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Answer 2

You need a new passport. But until u get one just take your marriage certificate with you. That should be enough.

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Answer 3

take your marriage certificate with you as they will ask, might be best to make them aware before the trip too.

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Answer 4

You should have plenty of time to get the name in your passport amended before your trip. That will make this and future trips easier. I was living in another country when I had it done, so I'm not exactly sure how long it takes, but waiting times for regular passport applications take 4-6 weeks. If your name changed within the last year, it's free. Forms to do so are here:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/fri…

I've been told that the passport name must match the name on the airline tickets. Marriage certificates aren't official international documents unless verified in the other country. I'm now divorced and have changed my name back, but my passport hasn't been amended. Thus, when I order tickets online, I order them in my married name. If TSA told you it was okay to use the certificate, it probably is, but I'm not sure how it will work on return flights. Changing the name will be easier.

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