Apologies for my potentially stupid ESTA question

[Sunset_Princess]

I am about to do our ESTA forms and have since married since the last time I had a valid ESTA. I am still travelling with my maiden named passport and so is my husband (we combined both of out surnames once married). So I am filling in my ESTA as per my passport details. For the other names known by, do I put our now married name for both of us?

I know this is probably a very stupid question and as i write is I am thinking to myself, of course you do!! But I just want to be 100% sure.

 

[wilma-bride]

Other names you are known by would generally by your maiden name. I would just used your married name, if you both use that generally for everything else.

 

[Tash87]

That's a tough one but I wouldn't put your Married names in. Have you changed your surname on other official paper work?

When I travelled for our honeymoon I was still on my maiden name passport and didn't put my married name on esta paperwork ( we travelled the day after our wedding ) and when it asked for other names known by I put my previous surnames that I was known by.

 

[wilma-bride]

That's a tough one but I wouldn't put your Married names in. Have you changed your surname on other official paper work?

When I travelled for our honeymoon I was still on my maiden name passport and didn't put my married name on esta paperwork ( we travelled the day after our wedding ) and when it asked for other names known by I put my previous surnames that I was known by.

The difference, in your example, is that you travelled the day after your wedding so weren't actually using your married name actively, I guess.

I get the impression the OP is already using her married (double barrelled) name so is officially known by another name, which is what the question is regarding.

 

[Tash87]

Yes, I agree @wilma-bride

When I filled out my esta form last month I was literally having hot, sweats cause I know how strict they can be ( and rightly so too ) One good thing is, now my passport is in my married name so that's one less thing to worry about.

 

[Sunset_Princess]

Oh no, maybe my potentially stupid question wasnt so stupid :-S

We have been married 3 years this September so have been double-barrelled for a while now!

 

[wilma-bride]

In that case, definitely use your married surname in the 'other names' box.

 

[Tash87]

I would of been stumped by that too. I personally overthink everything when it comes to those forms.

 

[Sunset_Princess]

I would of been stumped by that too. I personally overthink everything when it comes to those forms.

Hahaha me to!

Id be afraid that they wouldnt let me in because I put the wrong name!!

 

[Sunset_Princess]

In that case, definitely use your married surname in the 'other names' box.

Thanks! Ill do that!

 

[chmurf]

The only requirement is that the name you're using (surname/last name) be the same on all documents. Namely Passport, ESTA and plane ticket.

if you're born "Miss Smith", and got married to "Mr Jones", the only thing to know is if your passport has been updated or not.

If your passport reads

"Miss Smith", then fill your ESTA using only the Smith surname.(and your plane ticket should be in that name too)

If your passport reads

"Mrs Jones", then fill your ESTA using only the Jones surname (and your plane ticket should be in that name too)

If your passport read

"Mrs Smith Jones", then you could use either Smith or Jones (or both if double barreled), granted that the name you use is present on all 3 documents

if your passport only shows your maiden name, do not use your married name for the ESTA or for your plane ticket.


The "other names you're known by" will be aliases or assumed names. (for example, when booking a hotel room, Brad and Angelina Jolie are booked under the name "Bruce and Jasmine Pilaf"
that would be a case of "other names you're known by"

Only use your married name if it's present on your passport.

 

[wilma-bride]

The "other names you're known by" will be aliases or assumed names. (for example, when booking a hotel room, Brad and Angelina Jolie are booked under the name "Bruce and Jasmine Pilaf"
that would be a case of "other names you're known by"

Only use your married name if it's present on your passport.

But that is entirely the point, for all other purposes the OP and her husband are known by their married names (and have been for 3 years) and should answer the question "Are you known by any other names or aliases" with 'yes'.

 

[Sunset_Princess]

Ive just finished filling them all in! I did put our married name in the other names. Better to give them too much info than not enough i guess!

For the first time ever, they didnt come back approved straight away and I got the 72 hour message. I can only assume its due to the other names. Who knows! We will see in 72 hours!!

 

[scottishgirl87]

Ive just finished filling them all in! I did put our married name in the other names. Better to give them too much info than not enough i guess!

For the first time ever, they didnt come back approved straight away and I got the 72 hour message. I can only assume its due to the other names. Who knows! We will see in 72 hours!!

Have you tried logging in again? Not that I had the same query as you but ours also didn't come back approved straight away. Simply logged back in a few minutes later and all approved

 

[Sunset_Princess]

Have you tried logging in again? Not that I had the same query as you but ours also didn't come back approved straight away. Simply logged back in a few minutes later and all approved

Thanks for this! Just logged back on and all approved!!

 

[dixonsontour]

Oh good glad you are sorted..

I use my married name in everyday life and have a passport in married name

But I use my maiden name at work for professional reasons

So in the any other name box I'd put work surname. There is a similar thing on UK driving licences.