Name changing and primary on cruise?

[Makayna]

When FH and I booked our 1 year anniversary cruise next September, I booked it as the primary person. I apparently wasn't thinking because I booked it in my current name right now. After our honeymoon cruise THIS September, I will be changing my name, both on Driver's License and Passport (as long as I do it before March, it's free ). So, I WILL need to change the primary name on our second cruise, but only from my maiden name to my married name. Is that possible? I know they don't let you switch the primary person, but what if the primary person changes her name before then? Am I going to have problems changing my name on the reservation since I'm the primary person?

 

[lbgraves]

That is one that will have to be called into DCL. I would think this happens a lot.

 

[LadyDre]

Why not just change it after. Your cruise looks to be right around the corner. With the processing times for both an official marriage licence to be mailed and then the turn around with the passport it may be more trouble than it's worth to try and get all of that done before you cruise. Oh and Congrats on the wedding!!

 

[Makayna]

That is one that will have to be called into DCL. I would think this happens a lot.

I would too. I also think that maybe they can somehow know. I did enter my passport number, and I'm assuming that my passport number won't change when I send it in to have my name changed. Has anyone here sent their passport in to have their name changed within a year of first getting it? And did your passport number stay the same? If it stays the same, then DCL will KNOW that it's still me because they're not going to issue a passport with the same number to a different person. If the number changes, then I'm not sure how they'd know. I could just be transferring it to someone else with the same last name (but I'm not).

 

[Makayna]

Why not just change it after. Your cruise looks to be right around the corner. With the processing times for both an official marriage licence to be mailed and then the turn around with the passport it may be more trouble than it's worth to try and get all of that done before you cruise. Oh and Congrats on the wedding!!

I don't think you understand . I AM changing my passport name AFTER this cruise. I'm talking about NEXT cruise, NEXT year (i.e. the 1 year anniversary cruise). And, thanks for the congrats!

 

[LadyDre]

OOOPS!!! Sorry!! I guess I should learn to read better!! I agree wtih PP better call that one in!

 

[lbgraves]

You can go in and change the passport number easily on DCL's site. This is just going to be a matter of how they handle it. You may need to switch the lead name to your soon to be DH's so that the lead's name does not change. You would then be able to have your name switched to your correct name. DCL will know that it is you because of your CC number. That is one thing that will NOT change in their system.

 

[Makayna]

You can go in and change the passport number easily on DCL's site. This is just going to be a matter of how they handle it. You may need to switch the lead name to your soon to be DH's so that the lead's name does not change. You would then be able to have your name switched to your correct name. DCL will know that it is you because of your CC number. That is one thing that will NOT change in their system.

Can I switch him to being the primary person? I mean, I thought you can't change the primary person at all. But since he's on the cruise with me, I can just switch it into his name? If that's true, then that would work!

Thanks. I'll call DCL next week and ask!

 

[lbgraves]

You should be able to do that without a problem. It just has to be someone within the room. Don't do both changes at the same time. Call and switch him then call another time and take care of your name. I would call DCL tonight and ask them what their policy is for name changes when you get married. You know, whenever we used my BC it had my maiden name on it and I was told by the agents that they look at other information in that case like a birth date. The question will just be within DCL's system.

 

[Makayna]

I called DCL and they said no problem. I'll call again after this cruise, after I get my passport back with my name changed (so probably December or so) to actually change the name then. Thanks for the help.

 

[clten]

I would too. I also think that maybe they can somehow know. I did enter my passport number, and I'm assuming that my passport number won't change when I send it in to have my name changed. Has anyone here sent their passport in to have their name changed within a year of first getting it? And did your passport number stay the same? If it stays the same, then DCL will KNOW that it's still me because they're not going to issue a passport with the same number to a different person. If the number changes, then I'm not sure how they'd know. I could just be transferring it to someone else with the same last name (but I'm not).

DCL shouldn't have a problem updating your name. Worst case scenario, have them hypenate it for your 1st anniversary cruise.

But to answer your question about the passport, my sister did a name change a few years ago (don't know if the process has changed in the last couple of years). Her passport didn't change, they just added an endorsement page to the passport. (Basically in the back of your passport book there will be a page that has your new name.) So actually most of the time, people overlooked it and she had to direct them to the endorsement page.

So if the process is the same, the page of the book with your picture will still have your maiden name. You could probably leave your reservation as it is.

 

[Makayna]

DCL shouldn't have a problem updating your name. Worst case scenario, have them hypenate it for your 1st anniversary cruise.

But to answer your question about the passport, my sister did a name change a few years ago (don't know if the process has changed in the last couple of years). Her passport didn't change, they just added an endorsement page to the passport. (Basically in the back of your passport book there will be a page that has your new name.) So actually most of the time, people overlooked it and she had to direct them to the endorsement page.

So if the process is the same, the page of the book with your picture will still have your maiden name. You could probably leave your reservation as it is.

That's good to know!!! After I get back from the cruise THIS September, I'll send in my passport to have my name changed. After it comes back, I'll see how they did it, and if it's just as you described, then I may not change it at all. But I'll decide then after I see what the passport looks like. Thanks!!!

 

[sambycat]

i've not read thru all the responses so i apologize if i'm way of base or completely redundant, but i've just gone through all this....

1) can't change your name until you get the marriage license back
2) you have to get a SSN card and that is something you apply for and then receive and THEN you can get the drivers license and change the passport- which also takes time....

it takes a lot longer than you think, at least thats what i am finding!!

but you can change your name on the reservation (use your TA or you call DCL if you are doing all your arrangements). but don't change it or wait to change the passport until you are sure you have the supporting documentation. like it would be more of a pain for those who got all excited and made their honeymoon flight ressies for "mr & mrs new name".

so you can change it (i just did ) but just look at your timing!

and congrats!

 

[sambycat]

oh, i didn't find an "endorsement page" option for the name change. i *hope* i read the passport stuff right, but i had to get a new passport and new photo and pay the entire fee even though i had just renewed less than 2 years before... arg!

 

[Makayna]

i've not read thru all the responses so i apologize if i'm way of base or completely redundant, but i've just gone through all this....

1) can't change your name until you get the marriage license back
2) you have to get a SSN card and that is something you apply for and then receive and THEN you can get the drivers license and change the passport- which also takes time....

it takes a lot longer than you think, at least thats what i am finding!!

but you can change your name on the reservation (use your TA or you call DCL if you are doing all your arrangements). but don't change it or wait to change the passport until you are sure you have the supporting documentation. like it would be more of a pain for those who got all excited and made their honeymoon flight ressies for "mr & mrs new name".

so you can change it (i just did ) but just look at your timing!

and congrats!

Thanks for this post! So how long, realistically, are we talking? Let's say I start the process October 1st, and I have until Feb 29th to get my passport to them because my passport was dating early March, I believe. How long does each phase of the process take? For instance, getting the SSN card? And then getting the DL? Then send in the passport? What do I need to send in with the passport? Just a new SSN card and the marriage cert (and the old passport, of course), and a COPY of my new DL? Is that it? Do you reasonably think that 5 months is long enough for this process? I mean, it HAS to be! Because after March, it'll cost beaucoup bucks to get it done, so I HAVE to have it sent in and all that by March. You don't think that any step of this, such as getting a new SSN card, will take longer than that, do you?

oh, i didn't find an "endorsement page" option for the name change. i *hope* i read the passport stuff right, but i had to get a new passport and new photo and pay the entire fee even though i had just renewed less than 2 years before... arg!

You have to send it in within 1 year from the time you originally got your passport for it to be free. Otherwise, I believe you have to pay either almost the entire amount for a new passport, or just about the same amount (depending on how long it's been). Perhaps if it's the name change within a year, they do that "endorsement page" thing?! It wouldn't surprise me that they simply add a page and not giving me a completely new passport... since they're doing it for free.

Here's where it talks about it:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html



EDIT: I don't see anything on this list of required documents that says I need a new SSN card?! Or even to send in a copy of my DL for that matter!

You must mail:

Your current, valid U.S. passport

Completed Form DS-5504, Application for a U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement

An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or the government-issued document evidencing your legal name change under federal or state law.

If required, one recent, color photo (details)

to the address listed on Form DS-5504 .