Your boarding pass, government-issued I.D., and passport should all match.
Our travel documents are a portal to experiencing other cultures, visiting friends, and embarking on epic adventures. They are also costly privileges. So, how serious is it to update them after significant life changes?
For a seamless travel experience through security checkpoints, your name should match across any methods you are presenting for travel. That means your boarding pass, government-issued I.D., and passport should all match. If you use any expedited security services like TSA PreCheck or Clear, it should match the name on your other documents.
Because a government-issued I.D. is required to register for any travel documents and expedited security services, you should first update your state I.D. or driver’s license according to your state’s policies. You may also need to obtain an updated social security card and certified copies of documents such as your marriage certificate.
Newlyweds and Divorcees
In most cases, you won’t have an updated form of I.D. reflecting your new last name until after your wedding. If your honeymoon plans involve international travel, wait until you return to update your passport. You have several options:
Top Picks for You
Recommended Fodor’s Video
1. Apply for a Name Change
A name change is the easiest option to update your passport within one year of issuance. Requesting a name change is also for people who want to correct a misspelled name or any printing errors. For divorcees, this can be for you, too. The bonus to name changes within one year is that there are no fees to pay unless you request an expedited passport. For the name change process, you must submit the following with your application:
– Your current passport
– A complete form DS-5504 with an explanation of the name change
– The legal documentation of the name change (i.e. a marriage certificate)
-A recent passport photo
2. Renew Your Passport
Alternatively, if it’s been over a year since your last passport was issued, you can apply to renew it and pay the applicable fee instead. Here are the eligibility requirements for a passport renewal:
– Your current passport is in good condition
– You were at least 16 years old when it was issued
– It has been less than 15 years since the issuance
– You have supporting documentation of the name change
If you meet the above criteria, you must submit the following with your application:
– Your current passport
– A complete form DS-82 with an explanation of the name change
– The legal documentation of the name change (i.e. a marriage certificate)
– A recent passport photo
3. Apply for a New Passport in Person
The last option is to get a new passport completely, reserved for scenarios when you are not eligible for the previous options. You can also apply in person if you cannot provide legal documentation of a name change. However, you should be able to present a new state-issued I.D. with your new name. Other scenarios for an in-person application include you have reported your passport lost or stolen. Prepare the following documents to submit with your application:
– Proof that you are a U.S. citizen i.e. birth certificate
– Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license or state identification card)
– A complete form DS-11
– A recent passport photo
Please note this applies to individuals wishing to change or obtain a U.S. passport. Eligibility, requirements, and supporting documentation may be different for other countries.
Gender and Identity Changes
Having documentation that affirms gender and identity is crucial. Previously, to change the gender on a passport, medical certification was required. In June 2021, the State Department announced certification was no longer needed.
What does that mean exactly? A transgender person can obtain a passport reflecting their gender by selecting the appropriate gender marker on the application. Applicants may choose an M, F, or X for their gender.
This policy applies to transgender adults and minors. However, all passport applications for underage applicants are subject to parental consent requirements. You can read the passport requirements for children under 16 here and for children 16 and 17 here. If you are updating the gender on a passport or applying for the first time, prepare the following documents to submit with your application:
– Proof that you are a U.S. citizen (i.e. birth certificate)
– Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license or state I.D. card)
– A complete form DS-11
– A recent passport photo
Per the U.S. Department of State, “The gender you select does not need to match the gender on your supporting documentation such as a birth certificate, previous passport, or state I.D.”
The website also shares: “Beginning in late 2023, you will be able to select X as a marker if you are requesting expedited or urgent travel service. You will also be able to request X for the following documents we issue: Passport cards, emergency passports printed at embassies and consulates, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs).
You can use these links to find a passport acceptance facility or a list of applicable fees.
What About Expediated Security Services?
To make updates to your TSA PreCheck service, visit an enrollment center. Their website states: “If you change your name and do not update your TSA PreCheck membership to match the new details, you will not be able to use your TSA PreCheck benefits when traveling until the name change process is completed.”
Global Entry has a similar process, directing persons to visit an enrollment center with their new passport, original Global Entry card, and legal documents. The officer will verify your identity and issue an updated card.
Other programs, like Clear, allow you to make the change at one of the airport kiosks with an updated form of identification.
Don’t Forget About Rewards Accounts
Travel rewards are one of the best parts of traveling. While you’re dedicating time to update your name/gender on your travel documents, you should update your rewards accounts, too. Think about services like lounge access, hotel rewards, or any other travel service that requires you to present identification to be accessed.
Every program will have a different process. For some, you can make these updates in the app, online, or by calling the customer service line. Others, particularly hotels and airlines, will require you to submit legal documents via fax or mail. You can also sign up for secondary accounts and contact customer service to merge them or do a points transfer.