lovemyhorses

Hi,

I love this message board...I am new, as of last week, and have immensely enjoyed all of the posts and trip reports...it makes for very engaging reading.

This is probably a stupid question, but I am getting married later this year, and I also have a trip to London planned with a friend, with the dates still being tentative at this time. I never even thought about the passport situation. How soon after I'm married do I have to send in a form to change the name on my passport. Sorry to sound so ingnorant!

Thanks for your help,

Belinda

lovemyhorses

I suppose the reason I'm not thrilled with having to send this new passport information in is that I very recently had the passport renewed...and I just don't particularly want to pay the fees again so soon! lol

Belinda

TexasAggie

Hi Belinda,

I could be midtakrn but I believe you now have to get an entirely new passport for your name change.

I got married in June 2004 and sent off for my new passport as soon as I changed my SS number and my driver's liscense. My passport just has the new name typed in on an "Amendments Page". But I thought I remember hearing that they have changed this and now you have to get a new one (which unfortunately is more expensive).

Anyway, the order in which I would proceed:

1. Get your SS number changed
2. Get your Driver's Liscense changed
3. Get your passport changed
4. Book your tickets in your new name

Ultimately, you just want to make sure that the names on your airline ticket and passport match. I recommend doing the DL too b/c you don't want to be carting around your passport every time you take a domestic flight

TexasAggie

P.S. After reading your second post, if you don't want to renew your passport so soon then you could consider holding off on getting your name changed with the Social Security Administration until after your trip. Then your name would still officially be your maiden name. Just be sure to book your tickets that way!

Sorry for all the typing errors in my first post!

baybee510

Belinda,

You can go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...ting_2654.html

I recently had my name changed on my passport. Now if your passport was issued within the last year then you don't have to pay, but otherwise it's $67. Since my passport was issued a couple of years ago, I had to mail in $67, my passport with my old name, two photographs, the form, and a copy of the name change document.

If you're going to change your name with the social security administration and the DMV right after you marry then you should get a passport that reflects your new name. They take about five weeks to process your app.

lovemyhorses

Thank you both so much for you help with my question...that was so nice of you to take the time to share all of that information, and a huge help! Yikes...there is way too much to this marriage stuff! LOL Just kidding...sort of.

Belinda

lovemyhorses

Good grief...speaking of typos...that was meant to read thank you for "your" help...not "you" help! Ha! I'm a rather poor typist, needless to say.

Belinda

Budman

If you've just renewed your passport for 10 years, I would travel on that passport. Just make sure your tickets are booked in your maiden name.

Here's the link to change your name:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...ting_2654.html

nycgirl1

I just changed my name on mine, and it took just over 6 weeks - I feel much better having it over and done with though in case any of those spur of the moment trips come up.

LoveItaly

lovemyhorses, the problem could be IF you have had all your other documentation changed to your married name including your drivers license but do not have your passport reissued under you new name IF for some reason you lose your passport while out of the country you probably will not have any other form of ID that is in your maiden name so that you can quickly get a replacement passport.

I would strongly suggest that you have your passport reissued in your married name. Best regards.

stormygirl

I had this situation! If you don't want to give up your passport for a while (it takes about 6 weeks for the name change) you can just carry a copy of your marriage certificate! I had to do this as we went overseas 2 days after our wedding. no problem at all - even a year later.

ira

Hi love,

If you don't change your name on all of your other documents, you can still travel under your maiden name.

Why not wait until after you get back from London?

>How soon after I'm married do I have to send in a form to change the name on my passport.<

You are not required to change your name.

lovemyhorses

Thank you all so much for your advice on this...you all are terrific!

Maybe I'll just wait the next 9 years or so, and after this passport expires, I'll consider a name change! lol I wonder if that would work?!

Thanks a million, everyone,

Belinda