Passport queries

J_B

If lady gets married and takes her husband's name, does she legally have to change the name on her passport?

If so, is there a 'name change' option for passports, or does she need a completely new passport?

Mrsn

I’ve been married 2 years and haven’t changed mine yet. You can still legally use either name.... as long as any bookings match the name on the passport it is fine.

unsure about the name change question as I’m just waiting until renewal later in this year before sorting mine out.

IvanOpinion

Some help here
https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

I believe that some countries will not accept a passport unless the correct name is on it - they may require a marriage certificate as proof as well (so best to tuck that into the passport).

Ms_Chocaholic

IvanOpinion said:

Some help here
https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

I believe that some countries will not accept a passport unless the correct name is on it - they may require a marriage certificate as proof as well (so best to tuck that into the passport).

I'm unsure what you mean Ivan, if the lady was Miss Smith and got married and became Mrs Jones, if the booking AND the passport is in Miss Smith's name then the country she is visiting won't know she is Mrs Jones so no problem.

IvanOpinion

Ms_Chocaholic said:

IvanOpinion said:

Some help here
https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

I believe that some countries will not accept a passport unless the correct name is on it - they may require a marriage certificate as proof as well (so best to tuck that into the passport).

I'm unsure what you mean Ivan, if the lady was Miss Smith and got married and became Mrs Jones, if the booking AND the passport is in Miss Smith's name then the country she is visiting won't know she is Mrs Jones so no problem.

It is possible that they may not notice or that may be the requirement - the most important things is that the booking name is in the same name as the passport.  I would guess that in the majority of cases there will not be an issue, but it is worth checking the requirements for any countries that you intend to visit.

How would they know?  All sorts of national or shared data from around the world that is used to check every passenger flying across borders.

jackieblack

IvanOpinion said:

I believe that some countries will not accept a passport unless the correct name is on it - they may require a marriage certificate as proof as well (so best to tuck that into the passport).

But a woman doesn’t lose her birth name on marriage, her legal name remains the one on her birth certificate , she just chooses to be known by her husband’s surname.

J_B

jackieblack said:

But a woman doesn’t lose her birth name on marriage, her legal name remains the one on her birth certificate , she just chooses to be known by her husband’s surname.

Hmm, so My wife of 40 years with Mrs B on her passport / driving licence / credit cards / bank cards / utility bills etc etc is not using her "legal name"?

TELLIT01

I don't know what a 'legal name' is, but do know that nobody has to change their surname upon marriage.  A woman can continue to use her birth name for life.  Many people, particularly those in the public eye, do so.

IvanOpinion

jackieblack said:

IvanOpinion said:

I believe that some countries will not accept a passport unless the correct name is on it - they may require a marriage certificate as proof as well (so best to tuck that into the passport).

But a woman doesn’t lose her birth name on marriage, her legal name remains the one on her birth certificate , she just chooses to be known by her husband’s surname.

That is not the point I am making.  The advice is to be careful because some countries may have an issue with it - their country, their rules.  Better safe than sorry, it is no good having loads of principles if the only person that those principles cause problems for is yourself, especially when there are simple ways around it.

J_B

IvanOpinion said:

  The advice is to be careful because some countries may have an issue with it - their country, their rules.  Better safe than sorry, it is no good having loads of principles if the only person that those principles cause problems for is yourself, .............

And the customs officer at the country you have just arrived in says an emphatic "NO"

TBagpuss

You can update the name on your passport by sending the passport office your marriage certificate and they will cancel your old passport and issue a new one.

You can travel on your old passport as long as you remember to book your revel in the same name as shown on your passport.

It's my understanding that the passport office does charge for the change and then you get 10 years on the new passport.

Your legal name is whatever you say it is, assuming that you are not changing ./giving a name with intent to deceive. 

So if you chose to take your spouses name on marriage then that becomes your new legal name,  if you don't, your legal name remains the one you originally had.