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I need help desperatlely!!! My wife and I are set to leave for two weeks in Italy on Tuesday (March 27). We just noticed on her recently issued passport has her last name misspelled. I have no idea how we did not see this sooner, one of those things where you read something, and don't read what is written but what you expect to see.

I have gotten on the US passport website, and of course no one works on the weekend.

So my question is, if we get to a passport agency on monday or tuesday can we hope to have the passport before our 8pm Flight on Tuesday nite.

If this is not possible, has anyone ever experienced this. We have her birth cert., marriage license, and state drivers license could we take those along w/the misspelled passport and this will work. PLEASE HELP with your responses!!!

I don't know if you want to give out her last name, but is the spelling error noticeable enough that it would cause problems? If you looked over it without noticing, maybe everyone else will too. I highly doubt (in fact, I'm almost certain) you can get a passport made in 1 day. But hopefully you'll be ok if it's just one letter in the middle of the name or something like that.

I totally disagree that someone else won't notice the misspelling. You are taking a big chance. Call your Congressman first thing Monday morning to see if he can get the passport changed somehow. Or see if you can convince the airlines that the tickets are spelled incorrectly and get THEM to change. You might call them today and tell them the tickets are wrong, you have the passport to prove it!

Actually, the passport office can issue a change same day or in one business day, depending on how soon your travel plans are. For a name correction within two weeks of your travel they will be able to take care of it within 24 hours.

Last year I was in the San Francisco passport office renewing mine before a last minute trip. While I had to return the next day to pick mine up, there were many people being serviced as same day for their needs.

DEFINITELY call the 800# and speak with someone on Monday so you can get an appointment at the nearest office, and complete their form for passports issued in error (re-application form DS-5504.) You may need to bring ticket info as proof of your travel plans with you as well, but the agent on the phone is certain to let you know.

Good luck!

Krix, caltobello's flight to Italy is this coming Tuesday, March 27th!

Caltobello, where do you live? Is there a passport office near your hometown? It sounds like possibly there is from your comment in your third paragraph.

The number I have (per the SF Chronical of 1-29-07) for the Passport Office is 1-877-487-2778. They said to press #3 for a "human being". That is the same # I called a couple of years ago due to a problem. It is the US Passport Office Information Service.

First thing Monday morning call that number OR if you have a passport office in your area that your wife can get to call them first thing Monday morning. She will have to take her airline ticket to the passport office but that won't be a problem. If neither phone call to either offices work out then yes call your Congress persons office immediately. Best wishes to you both. And let us know the results!

What are they going to be checking it against, her driver's license? All they do is look at the passport and the picture to see if it's you and then scan it. I don't think they'll care all that much in Italy if the name is misspelled.

Robert, the passport name and the name on the airline ticket has to be the same.

OK..caltobello, tomorrow, call your airline and talk to them and see what they say.

>>>>>
I don't think they'll care all that much in Italy if the name is misspelled.
>>>>>

your docs will be checked by the airline in the US before you leave. they will be checked in italy as you arrive. they will also be checked by the airline in italy as you depart for home. and for any internal flights you might take. and finally they will be checked when you return to the US. due to italy's wanting to keep track of the movements of anyone foreign, your pp will also be used to register you in every town that you stay (done by the hotel operator). this is less of a worry but keep in mind that there will be two passports (at least) and a mismatch could easily be noticed.

the point is that nobody can tell you if you will be ok or not. the biggest worry would be at check-in for your flights. airlines are liable for your return flight if they let you go but you are refused at your destination...they have a strong incentive to get the doc check right. also and perhaps most important, with all the new computer security checks for passengers flying in the US, i would not take a chance on it.

if you can't fix it and are looking for people's experience with this to decide whether or not to take the chance, keep in mind that security has been constantly evolving i.e. getting tighter) since 9-11.

good luck in getting this sorted.

If you live near a passport office, the phone lines for making appointments are 24/7. Call now to make an appointment for Monday. It's NOT the same 800 number to speak to a live person (for which you'd have to hold for an hour or more).

http://travel.state.gov/passport/abo...ncies_913.html

Hi C,

I had a not dissimilar problem. My Lady Wife's middle initial is "S".

When I bought tickets online, I ebeterd the S as a middle initial.

The computer turned it into Mrs Roberta Block, Sr.

Call the airline.

Tell them the problem.

If necessary, ask for a supervisor.

They can enter a note on your reservation file about the misspelling.

You ought to also call the passport office.

Good luck.

What would happen if you type your name incorrectly when booking airline tickets on the internet? Would the airline refuse to let you fly when the name on the ticket isn't spelled exactly the same as on your passport?

Hi H,

The airlines can disregard minor errors.

Ira's post appeared while I was composing mine.

Would a minor misspelling really preclude travel? How would the immigration authorities in a foreign country even know that your name is wrong on the passport? It seems to me that as long as your appearance matches the picture and other details on the passport, you would get through without a problem.

It just happened again! ;-)

I don't think anyone is worried about mistakes being caught by foreign officials, its the U.S. officials that one has to be worried about.
I recently checked in on line and mistyped an A at the end of my name instead of an E and the airline did not catch it when I checked my luggage, but the security screener did and sent me back to the airline desk to change my bording card. So for your peace of mind, get it all taken care of before you leave.

Thank you for all of your replies!
We live about 3 hours from DC, so we are going to drive 1/2 way tonite, and call on the way in to get an appointment (if i can figure out the online appointment system that it would help alot).
I am also going to call the airline to see what they suggest. Thanks again!

I know people suggested waiting until Monday morning to call, but typically Monday mornings are the worst for calling anywhere!

I would
- call the automated number for an appointment and make one as soon as you can (call NOW). Automated reservations are 24/7 and I was able to best get through about 6am when I woke up one morning.
- try and call to speak with a live person. I don't think they work Sundays, but with all the new requirements they are working TONS of extra hours to keep up.

good luck!

If you have time, please keep us posted.

Good luck!

I was finally able to talk to a REAL person. I need to go to the place of issuance (Washington, DC) to get a replacement. I do not need an appointment, and once there I need to request a "Same Day" passport.

I need to take with me a completed DS-5504, new pictures (issued greater than 30 days), proof of name, and Travel plans. We are definitely taking more than is required as far as proof of her name just to be sure we have it all since it is a 3 hour trip. The good thing is if they can't issue it until tuesday, our flight leaves from Dulles so we will already be in that area anyway.

Thanks again, and i will let you all know the outcome!

Good luck! Maybe you want to bring all your luggage just in case you have to stay!

Let us know how it ends!