Using my maiden name to avoid having to get a VISA, please advise?

[lorapinky]

Hello

I got married last year in WDW thus I am now a married lady

However when I booked my holiday for next year I put myself down on my maiden name. I was told by the travel agent that as my passport is a readable one I can keep using it to enter the US without a VISA. If I had it amended I would have to apply for a VISA. She said that it shouldn’t be a problem going in my maiden name etc.

I am starting to worry a little bit as I am unsure if when I go through customs in the US they may pick up on it and get a bit stuffy about it

Has anyone any advice on this?

Or experienced a similar problem?

 

[Dicky Knee]

I think that everyone that gets married and takes their partners name probably has the same issue when going on honeymoon. You're not going to be able to change your passport on the day of your marriage. My wife travelled under her maiden name for a short period until she renewed her passport. I think the only thing you have to remember is to take a copy of your marriage certficate - but I will stand corrected.

 

[misspickle]

hiya i got married last year and we are going to wdw at xmas and i have 8 years left on my passport and i have put my maiden name down, because i don't see the point in getting it changed and paying for it.
you should be fine.

 

[PotNoodle]

The marriage certificate or a copy of it is a must - just in case of any problems.

However, I don't know whether this is good advice or may worry you, but, when my wife and I got married she went up the embassy to have it noted on her passport.

Personally, I think you will be okay - just don't forget that certificate to be on the safe side.

 

[carolfoy]

As long as your passport matches your ticket that's fine, I have a lot of clients who are known by Dr (maiden name) but are really Mrs (married name) so as long as passport and ticket matches that's all they look at.

 

[Claire L]

As long as your passport matches your ticket that's fine, I have a lot of clients who are known by Dr (maiden name) but are really Mrs (married name) so as long as passport and ticket matches that's all they look at.

Totally agree with Carol.

But your TA is wong if you change your passport you will not need a visa as new passports issued by the UK Passport Offices still comply with the Visa Waiver rule. Although to change your name may cost an admin fee now.

The only thing I will say is if asked for id in the US when using a credit card or travellers cheques that are signed in a married name then it may cause a little problem.

Claire

 

[rosiejo]

I just sent my old passport off to change it to my new married name (we got married in WDW last year too!)

It costs about 60 quid to change it - I don't mind as mine is due to expire in September anyway so i needed a new one. I think they only give you a ten month credit so if my passport had a few years left on it I would have been tempted not to bother!

 

[eblondie]

I got married in December and im travelling again in October. Im not going to renew my passport yet as it doing run out until 2011 and Im not expecting to travel again for a few years. I will be sure to take my marriage certificate with me which should help to validate any credit cards etc whilst Im there.

 

[TraceyL]

Just echoing the sentiment that changing your name on your passport will not mean that you will suddenly need a visa

Your passport will need to match the name on your ticket however

 

[jen_uk]

I travelled for years using my maiden name in my passport and it was never a problem. When we went through immigration last year we went through together and said we were married and I was never questionned as to why my surname was different to my dh.

 

[Nubbedy]

When I got married I travelled on honeymoon on my maiden name. When I got back I changed my passport. It does save any hassle with using credit cards in your new name, for car hire etc.

When I did this there were two options:
1. You can either have a brand new 10 yr passport in your new name, or
2. If you have time left on your existing one, you can pay a lesser charge and have it changed to your married name, but it would expire at the same time as your old one would have. Sorry if thats confusing!

Just echoing the fact that your new passport will be machine readable and will have a chip, so no need for a Visa.

Enjoy!

Sara.

 

[patdavies]

Your passport and ticket MUST match for name.

You can get a new passport issued up to 3 months before your wedding in your married name that becomes valid on your wedding day. This is what my wife did when we got married.

Obviously, the passport cannot be used until you marry and an additional form need to be completed by the minister/registrar. You also sign an undertaking to return the passport if you don't get married

 

[Booknut]

I still travel in Europe under my maiden name as my Portuguese ID card only gets changed every 7 years. I think if the name on the ID/passport matches the ticket name you won't have any problems.

Congrats on the marriage

 

[Lisa1976]

You certainly don't need a visa if you change your passport to your married name, don't know where they got that from.

I had about 6 years left on my passport when we got home from our wedding, so sent it off with my marriage licence, think it was about £50 and then changed it and I still have the 6 years left.

I definatley found it easier to everything in the one name.

 

[carl_w]

I think that everyone that gets married and takes their partners name probably has the same issue when going on honeymoon. You're not going to be able to change your passport on the day of your marriage.

Actually you can apply for a passport in your married name before you get married, specifically so that you can travel as Mr and Mrs on your honeymoon. What happens if the wedding gets called off, I don't know.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Totally agree with Carol.

But your TA is wong if you change your passport you will not need a visa as new passports issued by the UK Passport Offices still comply with the Visa Waiver rule. Although to change your name may cost an admin fee now.

The only thing I will say is if asked for id in the US when using a credit card or travellers cheques that are signed in a married name then it may cause a little problem.

Claire

It should not be a problem. If you have your photo driving licence in your married name, you use that as proff of identity not the passport
Its not as if these days that boyfriend/girlfriend don't go on holiday together. US Customes should have no problem with that really

 

[Claire L]

It should not be a problem. If you have your photo driving licence in your married name, you use that as proff of identity not the passport
Its not as if these days that boyfriend/girlfriend don't go on holiday together. US Customes should have no problem with that really

True about the driving licence as that could be changed into the married name, but that is only ok if you drive.

I cannot see what problem the US Customs would ahve either I went on honeymoon in my maiden name and it wasn't an issue for the flight or whilst there as everything was still in my maiden name.

Claire