I recently got married and took my husband's last name. I sent my passport in to American Passport Services (one of many companies that do passport renewals/amendments, etc.) and paid quite a bit of money ($125 total -- including shipping both ways) to have my last name 'officially' changed. Their price was comparable to other companies I looked at and I was happy with their customer service (you actually get to TALK to someone when you call them -- there are no touch tone menu).

When I got my passport back, the only thing different was that they had hand-written 'See page 26' and on page 26 it is typed "This passport was amended on 3-24-04 so that the bearers name reads 'New Name'"

I called them afterwards because I thought it seemed odd to say the passport was changed to read 'New Name' when it really wasn't changed on the front at all. They assured me that this was the way that name changes are always dealt with on American passports. (What I REALLY wanted to ask then was what on EARTH cost $100 dollars???)

I have a trip coming up to Scotland in August and my concern is that I will get hassled everytime I need to show my passport and will need to explain the name change ordeal each time. It is really not something I want to deal with. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to avoid that, but it would at least be good to know what to expect.

I'm curious if anyone else has had experience with getting their name changed on a passport. Was it done the same way? Did customs and/or the airlines give you any problems?

Funny you should ask...

I just got my passport in the mail yesterday after having sent it in to have my name changed. I have an identical amendment message... just a couple of types lines stating that my name has been changed to XYA. However, nothing is handwritten in my passport and there is a raised seal of the Department of State on the page on which the amendment appears.

What worries me is that you paid $125. The process is free... I just mailed my marriage certificate and passport to the State Departments Passport Amendments Services office in Charlotte with the form available on the State Dept's website and got it back 3 weeks later. What the heck did you pay for?

Hi kello,

I suggest that you visit
travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

The official US government passport center.

It will tell you how to change your name (for free) and give you phone numbers to call.

It's free??? I should have come here to ask about how to do it first. I think that the service is offered to have it expedited faster. Basically, I didn't do my research. I looked up passport, name change on the internet, found multiple places, looked at the different prices and went with one that seemed 'reasonable'.

*sigh*

Boy do I feel foolish now. Well, live and learn. Fortunately... my company picked up the tab for the entire expense. I don't have the raised seal though... now I'm concerned!

When I did this years ago, yes, there was an amended page at the back with the same typed info. Strangely, on the main page there was a little rubber stamped "See page ___" but the blank was not filled in. So I wrote in the correct page number. I don't recall a raised imprint on the amended page.

I thought there would be trouble at customs with this system, but there was never a problem. However, this was before current higher-security times.

Thanks Ira. I went to the site. Indeed, I could have done this for free! There is a $60 fee if you want to have it expedited though. I'm looking at my itemized receipt and sure enough, $60 US Dept of State Fee and then $58 fee to the company that basically did what I COULD have done myself dealing directly with the US Dept of State.... *sigh* what a lousy scam that is!

Thanks ellenem. That is good to know you didn't have any problems.

I just called the company that did the amendment and the salesperson reassured me that yes, the amendment is quite 'unceremonious', but indeed that is how it's done. He said that they do not always have a seal. I understand that the important thing is that the name change is in the computer. Apparently the passports are all scanned now (?), so it will show up on the computer when I go through. That's a relief at least. I'm still a little miffed about the $$$ though!!!

Maybe you should just cancel your current passport and apply all over again and have the new passport issued in your full name (i.e. first, maiden and married).

The potential problem I see you having is at airline check-in if your ticket is in your married name, and the clerk at the counter doesn?t like the fact that the name on the first page of your passport does not match the ticket name, and all you have to verify the name on the airline ticket is a amendment stuck on a back page of your passport with no seal. You might want to continue to make airline reservations in your maiden name and have tickets issued in your maiden name.

You may have the same problem in countries in which you need to apply for a visa before you arrive (like China, Russia). You might want to make visa applications in your maiden name.

I don't see any reason to cancel your current passport. Women have been getting married and changing their names in their passports for years. Presumably you will have something else with your married name in full on it - a drivers license for example - for the exceptionally new/stupid ticket counter agent who hasn't seen this type of amendment before.

Don't overreact - you aren't the first person to have this type of amendment and you won't be the last. it will be okay.

I agree fishingirl. The salesperson assured me that my name is indeed changed in the database. Thus, when my pasport number is entered, my married name will be displayed. I think that is really the only thing that matters -- though I won't be surprised if I do have to explain it to one or two people during my trip!! It won't be the first time that I've run into issues with having a new last name. Yep, people have been doing it for years, but some just still don't 'get it'! lol.

Years ago I got divorced and went back to my maiden name. This happened only a few months after I had renewed, so for 9 1/2 years I carried a passport with my former name on the front and the amendment in the back. I was never questioned, nor did I have a minute's trouble. They simply turned to the page with the amendment and all was fine. I'm sure they see amendments in passports all the time, so there won't be a problem.

I'm sorry you got ripped off, but for what it's worth, you might have saved another Fodorite from this scam by posting this note.

Yes, PM... I hope I did save someone else from getting ripped off. I'm pleased to say though, it was actually the company I work for who really got ripped off. I won't say the actual name of the company, but it is one of the big pharma's -- I know they've ripped others off before so I don't feel too bad!!! BWaaa ha ha ha ha ha!!!

....A little late but this may help others..I chose to keep my maiden name for professional reasons...added bonus - i did not have to change anything..saved a huge amount of time and hassle!
A friend who lives in Quebec says that they must retain their maiden names on all official documents such as drivers permits ect..rather an interesting concept and probably much easier and cheaper for goverment.

Don't worry about having your passport scanned....your new name will come up in the computer and what is more important that duplicate picture you got when you applied/renewed the passport will come up on the screen to "verify" that the person who is using the passport is you..if the pictures don't match then......which they obviously will.

A lot of us have spent money on things like this unknowingly...some admit to it, some don't. I'd use the passport until it is time for renewal.

I just went to Paris and my passport has my married name on a separate page. Don't get a new passport until you current one expires . . . you don't want to spend any more money than you already have! I had no problems, but I did have to tell people to go to that page at all check-ins because if not they would look up my itinerary by my maiden name. My passport was scanned in the US went we left, but not until she had punched my name into the computer. I had no problems, nor did I travel with my marriage license. The amended passport was enough!

Have great time in Scotland!