Married name on flight ticket/Maiden name on drivers license

[JLPassDisney]

I really wanted to post on this thread to help others out. Long story (kind of) short, I have recently gotten married and my awesome father in law purchased our honeymoon plane tickets! Unfortunately, the tickets were purchased under my newly married last name. Because there was not enough time to change my drivers license with the BMV, I new I needed to change the name on my ticket in order to match my identification. Reading up on what to do/how difficult it was...I thought this was going to be impossible due to TSA regulations (we fly out on Saturday). First up, I called the airline to see what I could do. Delta informed me that because the tickets were purchased through a third party vendor (AMEX travel) I would need to call them to change my last name on the ticket. When you research this problem on these boards/other websites it seemed as though I was going to have to pay hefty fees or purchase an all new ticket together.

Thankfully(!!), I was able to get my last name on my ticket change back to my maiden name...no problem! I called the third party vendor and explained my situation. They were understanding but weary at first. After being put on hold 3 times and finally getting through to a supervisor (took around an hour) she informed me she needed to ask Delta for a name change waiver. With in the next 15 mins my tickets were updated with my maiden name to match my ID.

While it did take take an hour out of my day, it was a simple and FREE fix. I just wanted to let other newly weds know that it never hurts to just try to call and get your name changed on your flight ticket. We are excited to be in the most magical place ever (10 years since my last trip)!

 

[rigs32]

Seriously why would someone not realize a name change could be an issue?

 

[ncc1701]

OP glad it worked out. When we got married we booked my ticket in my maiden name , made it easy at security. My advice to any couple who is going away right after your wedding book in your pre-marrige name.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

It really not a big deal. I had a friend loose her license during her vacation. When she got to the airport she had to go through extra screening by TSA so it was not as big a deal as people think.

 

[Chumpieboy]

Wouldn't having the marriage license/paperwork in hand help the problem when at the airport? "Here's a document with last name A. Here's a document with last name B. Here's the marriage license showing the change between the two."

 

[KrazeeK120]

Wouldn't having the marriage license/paperwork in hand help the problem when at the airport? "Here's a document with last name A. Here's a document with last name B. Here's the marriage license showing the change between the two."

When I got married (granted, this was almost 11 years ago, so things may have changed), our priest had to sign the license indicating that he had legally married us and then mailed it to the county. Then the county put an official seal on it, probably recorded it somewhere, and mailed it to my husband and I. That process took about 1-2 weeks if I remember correctly. So if you go somewhere immediately after getting married, you won't have any official paperwork.

 

[ncc1701]

When I got married (granted, this was almost 11 years ago, so things may have changed), our priest had to sign the license indicating that he had legally married us and then mailed it to the county. Then the county put an official seal on it, probably recorded it somewhere, and mailed it to my husband and I. That process took about 1-2 weeks if I remember correctly. So if you go somewhere immediately after getting married, you won't have any official paperwork.

Similar thing here( I think ours came from the township) . The only thing we would have had is a copy of our wedding invitation and the program from the church service.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Also if you get married in another country like my DS & DIL! Luckily they followed the official process and no hiccups.

 

[bumbershoot]

It really not a big deal. I had a friend loose her license during her vacation. When she got to the airport she had to go through extra screening by TSA so it was not as big a deal as people think.

Yep. My dad has no ID at all and flies. He just goes with extra time and patience and the ability to sweet talk strangers. He's never yet been denied a flight. (he's not flying internationally)

Wouldn't having the marriage license/paperwork in hand help the problem when at the airport? "Here's a document with last name A. Here's a document with last name B. Here's the marriage license showing the change between the two."

Definitely.

And for me we took our license to the license people on our way home Monday (Sunday wedding out of state) and left with certificate in hand. (Not an issue for us bc we didn't change our names though)

Even just explaining it would have been fine.


This is one of the most common errors made for engaged couples. Though usually it's not the groom's dad who does it.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Unfortunately, even if you had the paperwork in time for the flight, TSA does not consider this a legal document. Best to make the reservations in your name on the ID you will present at the airport to get through security.

As the PP said, it typically is changeable but it can be time consuming.

 

[HandsofReiki]

had a friend who lost days of honeymoon due to name issues.... so many problems when I got married I was extra careful I remained Ms. legally for our international honeymoon.

 

[rwdavis2]

TSA does not accpept notes/letters/etc. for id purposes. They can be easily forged.