Will I have problems traveling if I change names right before going?

[monicaswave]

Ladies,

 

For those of you that got legally married prior to your DW did you change your name before or after the DW?

 

We are doing the legal thing 3 days before we leave for DW and I was thinking of processing the paperwork to change my name as well, but my FI mentioned that I may have problems traveling if my married name is different than the name on my passport. I won't have enough time to get a new passport with my new name in 3 days. Did anyone have this problem?

 

I tried to find a thread on this topic but couldn't so if there is one already could you please direct me to it?

 

Thanks!!

[Maura]

wait to submit your paperwork until after you've returned. your travel docs upon exit and entry need to have the same name as the name you booked your airline tix with! if your name isnt legally the same as what you booked your airline tix with, you are going to have a hell of a time getting on your flight and through the airports in the US. this happened to my best friend -- she accidentally booked a flight with her maiden name right before she got married, and by the time of the flight she'd already changed her last name. she said it was the biggest pain in the ass ever, she had to bring all her social security docs, and it was such a freakin mess. theres no rush on changing your name before you go to your DW, so just wait to avoid problems.

[Hartyt509]

I agree, wait until you get back that way no probs with the airlines, tickets or anything else.

 

One of my friends changed her docs before the wedding then had to sit an exam lol explain that one when you aren't getting married for a week and yet your docs say you are already married and the name they have is your maiden name lol

 

Another friend changed some of her stuff but not all so if i ever book a flight for her I have to check if she's changed it yet!! and I'm taking 8 years this december!! she refused to pay for a new passport so keeps one credit card in her maiden name lol crazy

[ErinB]

Like Maura siad, wiat to change your name.

 

FYI - if you just got your passport this year, you have 1 year to submit it for a name change at no charge. If you've had your passport for over 1 year, you have to do a renewal, even if it isn't expired.

 

Any international travel will require your name on the passport to match the name on the ticket.

[jajajaja]

Don't change your name! It's a VERY long process- I'm still doing it. Trust me, that's a headache you want to reserve for after the wedding!

[ACDCDCAC]

dont do it! i know its exciting, but dont jump the gun on this one. just wait the extra week or two and take care of it first thing when you get home. you probably have to wait on the certificate to be approved (whatever its called) and sent to you from the city/county anyways.

[monicaswave]

Thanks ladies for the very useful advice. I guess I'm too excited about becoming my hubby's Mrs. that I wanted to jump right on it. I will listen to you and wait until I get back. I do want to avoid any problems.

[Christine]

oh don't do it if you only have three days, that's not enough time to get it all taken care of-you will be mid process and then half your id's won't match, you don't want to risk getting stuck somewhere.

I know its exciting but think about how fun it will be to go do it all after you get home (and you'll be all tan for your new DMV picture)

[LCBride2007]

as long as you have a legal document (like passport for international travel, or DL for domenstic) in the same name you're traveling in, you will be fine!

[monicaswave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine (and you'll be all tan for your new DMV picture)

Good point!

I am going to wait to change name. I didn't realize process was such a pain. Thanks!