Passport In My Maiden Name

OWT_FOR_NOWT

I am going on holiday to the USA next April and I am getting married this August. The holiday was booked prior to the wedding so the tickets will be in my maiden name i.e the name which also appears on my current passport which expires in 7 years. I don't wish to incur extra costs (£77.50 for a new passport & £35 to change the name to my married name on the holiday tickets). I have emailed the passport office explaining the situation and this was their reply.

"Thank you for your email.
We would never advise travel on a passport in a name other than that which you use for all purposes as it would then cease to be a valid means of identification. If you travel without changing it then you do so at your own risk.
You may apply for a new passport in your intended new up to 3 months in advance of your marriage. You will need to complete an application in your intended name and send this along with your current passport, 2 new photos, fee of £77.50 and a PD1/PD2 which must be completed by the person officiating your marriage. Further guidance and the form regarding PD1/PD2 can be found on www.directgov.uk website or The Call Centre on 0300 222 0000."

So the answer they have given me does not say I can't travel on my passport. What risks would there be? I am not pretending to be another person, I would have other forms of identification, a drivers licence which would have my photo on plus credit cards (all in my married name) I could also take a copy of my wedding certificate. It seems to me that the passport office are just trying to frighten me into coughing up for a new passport.

What do you think?

Valli

If it were me I would leave it all as is. After your marriage you can use both your married surname and maiden name interchangeably anyway - some ladiese retain their maiden name for use in the workplace, for instance.

The key thing is, I believe, whether you are using with intent to deceive. Which you're not. BUT do make sure that any credit cards you take have the same name as your passport. Don't 'cloud' the issue by using both names on the trip. Well, that's what I would do.

gem75

I travelled using my maiden name in my passport for the first three years of my marriage until the passport expired and then I changed the name. Never had any problems, so long as you remember to book your flights in your maiden name as the name on the ticket must match the name in your passport.

bcl999

Well, you'll have 7 years grace to consider whether you are keeping hubby or getting rid without it costing you anything in passport fees!

jackieblack

They've just sent you a stock reply, without reading your email properly or addressing the actual query.

As long as your ticket and passport are in the same name you'll be fine.
Remember to do your ESTA in the same name as well!

angelil

I have replied on your other thread

markwilkinson

My wife still travels under her maiden name. We had to change her passport (my fault I'm told) due to damaging it, about 8 months before our wedding. The first couple of trips she took a copy of our marriage certificate but it's never been requested. Always books flights and accommodation in her maiden name, so it matches her passport. All cards are in the married name and we've never had a issue with that. To be honest we havnt tried to enter the USA in these circumstances so keep your cards to yourself and make hubby pay in his name. The fact you might be wearing a wedding ring is irrelevant if your passport and flight details match.

SteveJW

Wife travelled in her maiden name for over seven years never had a problem

headpin

My wife used her Passport for 3 years in her previous name until it expired. Travelled to US 3 times and numerous times to Europe with no problems. As said in previous posts ,just remember to book tickets etc in name in Passport.

Bergaspeed

I still have my passport in my maiden name as I got married 12 months into the passport. I also have a bank account in my maiden name as well. Its not a legal requirement to change your name when you get married. As long as the names on your travel documents and tickets match to your passport then you will be ok.

sweetilemon

I agree aslong as both names match it should be fine. I intend to travel with my maiden name 2 days after we marry.