How long can you use passport that carries your maiden name, I wish to travel NOW but my surname has changed?

Answer 1

You don't specify your nationality. In any event, for every country I know you can use your existing passport so long as it remains valid. Bring your marriage certificate with you. If making an airline (etc.) reservation be sure to specify that the name on your passport is X, and if that is the case that the name on your credit card is Y.

Many people use different names for personal and business purposes. Airlines must be used to that.

If you change your name on some, but not all, documents (like driving license) carry a photocopy of the old version.

Bear in mind that you are NOT required to change the name on your passport; under French and Quebec law, for example, you keep your birth name for life although you may be able to use your married name as well. And under Korean (and Spanish and many other countries') practice, your name is officially unchanged as a matter of course ("Mr Kim and Mrs Lee").

See this US consular warning (taken from 3rd link below). This is why I advise explaining all to the carrier before you fly. If you give them all names when booking they can't complain:

"Will I have a problem if the name on my airline ticket does not exactly match the name in my passport?

"If your middle name is not included on your ticket, or if your name is shortened or abbreviated on your ticket, you should not have any problems boarding the plane or entering the U.S. This is a common occurrence.

"If you have recently changed your name, for example after marriage, and the name in your passport and the name on your ticket are different, we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to board the plane or enter the United States. That is a decision for your airline and for the immigration officer at the port of entry in the U.S.

"We encourage all passengers to travel with all of their documents matching their current legal name. If this is not possible, we encourage passengers to travel with clear documentation about any changes, such as a marriage certificate or change of name certification. The Embassy is unable to guarantee that you will be admitted. "

Answer 2

I don't know how long you can carry on using it, but I travelled on my passport showing my maiden name when I was on honeymoon. My flight tickets were in my maiden name, so nobody at the airport could possibly have known any different.

Answer 3

After marriage, I travel in different countries along with my husband and have not change my maiden name.....

There is no problem but we always carry our marriage certificate along with passport and visa.....

Answer 4

It depends on when you got married! I traveled in my maiden name for my honeymoon, but had to produce my marriage license. That was some years ago however, but I would imaine the rules would be more strict now that relaxed!!!
Sue

Answer 5

As long as the name on the passport matches the name on your tickts i don't think you'll encounter any probs. It cost me £51 to change the name on my passport last month so i wish I hadn't bothered. That's the downside of getting married cos the woman has to fork out loads to change her name.

Answer 6

I am from India and here one can travel on her maiden name and most of our clients do so without any problems.

Answer 7

Change it as soon as possible because it could cause problems when travelling.
You don't want to get all geed up about going on holiday, and then get turned away at the airport do you.

Answer 8

No idea, when I got married I kept my surname just because I had to change all my doc-s.

Answer 9

As long as your tickets are booked in your maiden name you are entitled to use it until you renew, but you are obliged to renew in your new name.

Send us a postcard!

xxx

Answer 10

legally you're not supposed to use it, and to get a new one before travel abroad. in practice unless you have id and such in a different name it won't mean anything.