Essential Tips for Traveling During Your Name Change

The wedding bells have chimed, and you have said, “I do.” However, everything may not be as seamless as expected. If you plan to change your name after marriage, be prepared for some less-than-glamorous paperwork that needs to be addressed following your special day.

This process can be complicated, particularly when you are traveling amidst changing identification documents. To simplify the journey, Danielle Tate, the founder and CEO of MissNowMrs.com, an online name-change service for brides, offers invaluable advice on how to travel while navigating this transition.

7 Tips for Traveling While Changing Your Name

1. Book Honeymoon Travel in Your Maiden Name: It’s advisable to book your honeymoon travel using your maiden name. This is crucial because it typically takes around two weeks for your marriage certificate to be issued, meaning you will likely be traveling with identification in your married name.
2. Bring Appropriate Identification: The TSA does not accept a marriage certificate as valid identification. Therefore, ensure you bring your driver’s license or passport when flying.
3. Airline Name Change Policies: Most airlines do not allow name changes on tickets and will charge full fare if you need to purchase a new ticket under a different name. For added peace of mind, particularly if you’re worried about potential name errors in travel plans, consider opting for travel insurance.
4. Filing for a New Passport: If you filed for a new passport in your maiden name to travel for your honeymoon, you have up to 12 months from your wedding date to file for a free passport in your new name, which could be viewed as a thoughtful gift from the State Department.
5. Processing Times for New Passport: Keep in mind that the State Department generally takes about 5 weeks to issue a new passport. Consequently, it’s crucial to plan your travel and ensure the names on your tickets are accurate.
6. Expediting Passport Processing: If you have a flight booked in your married name, use your ticket as proof to expedite the processing of your passport at a regional passport center within one day.
7. Inform Work Contacts: If your travel includes work-related trips, it is advisable to inform your HR department and booking agency of your name-change plans. Doing so will allow them to flag your account and ensure bookings are made under the correct name.

• Jordi Lippe-McGraw: By Jordi Lippe-McGraw