Navigating Travel During Your Name Change

The wedding bells have rung, and you’ve said, “I do.” Everything should be smooth sailing from this point, right? Not quite. If you’re planning to change your name, brace yourself for some tedious paperwork that follows the cake-cutting ceremony.

The name change process is already complex, and attempting to travel while updating your identification documents introduces even more challenges. That’s where Danielle Tate, founder and CEO of MissNowMrs.com, an online service that helps brides navigate name changes, comes in. Here, she shares seven practical tips and insights on how to travel while undergoing a name change.

7 Essential Tips for Traveling During Your Name Change:

1.) Reserve your honeymoon travel under your maiden name. Your marriage certificate will take about two weeks to be processed, meaning you'll be traveling with identification that reflects your married name.

2.) The TSA does not recognize a marriage certificate as valid identification. Be sure to carry your driver's license or passport when flying.

3.) Most airlines won’t change a name on an existing ticket, and you’ll have to pay full fare for a new ticket under a different name. If you’re worried that your spouse might make a mistake with your name during the booking process, consider purchasing travel insurance.

4.) If you applied for a new passport in your maiden name for your honeymoon travels, you have a year from your wedding date to request a free passport in your new name! Think of it as a wedding gift from the State Department.

5.) The State Department typically takes about 5 weeks to issue a new passport, so make sure to plan your travel and the names on your tickets accordingly.

6.) If you have a flight booked under your married name, you can present your ticket to expedite the processing of your passport at a regional passport center in just one day.

7.) If you travel for work, make sure to notify HR and your booking agency about your name change. This will help them update your account and ensure your travel is booked under the correct name.

• Jordi Lippe : By Jordi Lippe
• Jordi Lippe-McGraw : By Jordi Lippe-McGraw