Do you really need a marriage license?

[cwf1028]

I made my reservations with my middle initial (this is how it is stated on my credit card as well) and my drivers license actually spells out my middle name which was my maiden name that appears on my birth certificate. I assumed this would be fine as both maiden and married appear on my ID. I think I might just tuck the marriage certificate in just in case. I'm overly paranoid!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Don't worry about being paranoid. I was the same way. I had read here that I probably wouldn't need it, and it ended up that I didn't, but I did take it with us anyway. I would say that if it makes you feel more comfortable to take it, then go ahead. The DH and I didn't have passports, only our BC, so I just stuck the MC in with our birth certificates. Besides, you know what they say...it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. (And you can always keep it locked up in your safe in the stateroom so that you don't have to worry about it getting misplaced.)

 

[jlowejd5]

We had ours on the honeymoon cruise, mostly because DW's reservations were in her maiden name. We just handed it over when we gave them the rest of our docs. I honestly don't remember if they looked at it or not. But I'd agree that, if you've got a copy handy, you might want to throw it in with the rest of your ID docs. It can't hurt.

 

[LissafromSJ]

Yes, Minnimoms, you need your ML to get a passport. Just did it, and am so relieved because I just got them in the mail - a big expense with three kids, but worth it in my opinion. Melissa

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

The application for passport does not say that you need to send in a ML so we didn't. They didn't ask for it at the post office either. Maybe because we applied together and my maiden name is on my DL.
It asks you for information about the marriage though - who to, when, stuff like that.
Waiting patiently for the passports to arrive

 

[3xthecharm]

I always travel with a passport. I changed my first name as a child, and I'm married. This means that only my middle name is the same as on my birth certificate.

 

[daisy112878]

I think it also depends on if you changed your middle name to your maiden name. I completely dropped my maiden name when getting married. And I did have to send in my ML to amend my passport last month. I have had to show my ML several times to people when changing things. I would get a passport. It's just easier then carrying everything else around and worrying.

 

[allears]

In January they did not require this of my wife. However, it wouldn't surprise me if they started. In New Jersey a married woman has to provide it when renewing her license. The rules under the Patriot act have gotten a litle out of hand. We've been putting off, frankly because we're too lazy and cheap to go through process, of getting passports, but I think we might start, at least one at a time, getting them. It really sounds like that will be the easiest thing to have in the future.

Also keep in mind that DCL puts a sticker on the envelope and insert in the documents as to what kind of id is required to check in.

 

[Limmer]

I have had to show my ML for every plane I have boarded since I got married (except my honeymoon because I had no ID in my new name). My passport has my maiden name and all my other ID has my married name and I have even been asked for ML while crossing the border in a car. Some of these flights did not even cross the border and I still had to show my ML.

 

[T i n k e r B e l l]

We just returned from the 2/24 Wonder. I took my marriage license + our birth certificates but didn't need to show our ML. I even asked the CM who checked us in at the port if she needed to see the ML & she said "no". Anotehr thing I found very strange when we disembarked back at the port the customs person didn't ask to see any of those docs. & wasn't even going to LOOK at our drivers licenses until I handed them to her.

 

[minniemoms]

Thanks to all, I don't have a certified copy of ML so I guess I better get one, however, the same place I get the birth certificate is the same county I was married in, and I can get the passport there too, so I guess I will make it all in one stop. And then IF I need the ML to get the passport, I can walk over to another desk in the same building and get it

 

[my3kids]

I've never used a marriage license for anything.....I wouldn't even begin to know where mine was or where to get a copy. I have a passport, so travel isn't an issue, but I'm sure I didn't use one to get the passport.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

It is really a pain lugging everything around. Since I have been asked in the past for my ML, I am going to solve this problem by biting the bullet and paying for a passport.

JMO

 

[hogie1]

Funny story, well kinda, now not then.... Last year my wife & I went on a different cruise from Boston to Bermuda and since she didn't get a passport she brought her birth certificate. Well, on top of that she brought our marriage license which we keep in a silver plated scroll holder. Only it looks like a pipe with screw caps on each end (pipe bomb anyone??) So she brings it out at the security desk as we're trying to board the ship and I thought we were gonna be the cause of an evacuation!! Luckily it all worked out ok and I explained it to the xray guy without incident, but had I known we would have left the "holder" at home......

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Funny story, well kinda, now not then.... Last year my wife & I went on a different cruise from Boston to Bermuda and since she didn't get a passport she brought her birth certificate. Well, on top of that she brought our marriage license which we keep in a silver plated scroll holder. Only it looks like a pipe with screw caps on each end (pipe bomb anyone??) So she brings it out at the security desk as we're trying to board the ship and I thought we were gonna be the cause of an evacuation!! Luckily it all worked out ok and I explained it to the xray guy without incident, but had I known we would have left the "holder" at home......

Glad that worked out! That could have been really bad!!!