How long can you travel on passport with maiden name for? Is it even a good idea to?
Posted by chimeranue@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 68 comments
Hi all, I've tried to research this but I need reassurance!
Planning to get married summer 2027 and then go on honeymoon to Iceland soon after.
My passport expires Sept 2026 (for the 10 year period, Feb 2027 is stated on the passport). I was therefore planning to renew now, but I am not likely to go abroad until Iceland.
I know you can apply 3 months in advance of the wedding to have it in your new married name, but most likely booking much further in advance will save us more money than the passport renewal fee.
Another option to ensure I can put the latest passport number in for honeymoon booking etc. would be to renew now and stomach either two things: 1) travelling with everything in maiden name incl. insurance and visas for the next 9 years, potentially taking the marriage certificate every holiday, or 2) two renewal fees in a shorter period of time (maybe one or two holidays in?).
I feel uncomfortable about travelling on my maiden name for 9 years. I've seen people saying it's fine but surely it is a risk for travel insurance or potentially getting stuck in another country? I will obviously always try to make sure everything is in my maiden name, but I'm sure after 9 years one of us could unintentionally slip up somewhere when booking!
Any experience/ thoughts on this?
blankspacebaby12@reddit
Just keep your name, and all of these problems magically go away.
perksofbeingcrafty@reddit
Ok I was going to comment this as well but idk, sometimes women hate their surnames for whatever reason and this might be a good time to get rid of it.
My very feminist friend’s birth surname was like seven syllables and phonetically insane and she changed it as soon as she got married. Now it’s Frankle
blankspacebaby12@reddit
She didn’t have to wait to get married to change her name, she could have done it at any time.
OP seemed to be very confused about what getting married vs changing her name actually means. She spoke as if getting married would automatically start causing issues with her bookings, she spoke about visas and insurance and return flights. But these issues don’t exist.
Flimsy-Sheepherder98@reddit
I’ve never changed mine. Been married for 2 passports now. Still use my maiden name in it. As long as your booking matches your passport it’s fine.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
That's reassuring, thank you. Ever had issues at the airport or had to make a travel insurance claim?
Adventurous-Elk-5193@reddit
as long as the name is the same on the passport and the tickets it won't be a problem.
Can I just reiterate that you don't need to change your name , in fact why would you? I find it a very weird concept that women are prepared to give away their identity and assume their husband's name. Weird, outdated and a faff
Remote-Jellyfish-551@reddit
Because you are one family unit till death do you part and all that, that’s the whole point of marriage. Marriage is a beautiful thing and not outdated. Life is fragile and a happy marriage is the best thing that can happen to anyone.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
I genuinely prefer his last name
Adventurous-Elk-5193@reddit
enough to give up your identity and go through all the hassle? Well, each to their own I guess; I did imagine we were mostly in more enlightened times though
frankchester@reddit
The name is probably just a name of another man anyway 🤷♀️
I changed my name cos my husbands is nicer and I don’t like my Dad lol
tobotic@reddit
We should re-normalize adopting your profession as your surname.
We don't really have many people working as smiths, thatchers, or fletchers in modern times. I want to see David Marketer, Eric Influencer, and Susie Quantitysurveyor.
pm_me_your_amphibian@reddit
Wow it’s like we fought all those decades to have choice or something.
I won’t be changing my name but I don’t fucking look down on people who do. Get over yourself, she isn’t being forced, she’s choosing to change it and has given you her reason when she didn’t even need to.
Relative_Shop4676@reddit
You seem to be very judgemental I assume no one's ever asked you to marry them it's not giving up your identity you're still the same person you just take the person's name you have a really weird outlook on this
porksandrecreation@reddit
The more enlightened approach is letting people make their own decisions and not judging them for it.
avalanchefan95@reddit
Oh stfu already. It's her life. It doesn't affect you even one second.
ApplicationSouth8844@reddit
Thats not what the question was about 🤷♀️
BumblebeeMission411@reddit
They've already assumed their fathers name and whatever name their parents gave them.
Who cares. Keep it or change it as you want.
KingPrawnOkay@reddit
I agree it’s a faff but the beautiful thing about being a grown woman is you can choose to do whatever the hell you want.
I took my husband’s name because my dad was abusive and I didn’t want his. I’d have taken ANYONE’S name quite frankly. And I’d want to share the same name with our children without double-barrelling. But women don’t need a reason if they just want to. 🤷♀️
Flimsy-Sheepherder98@reddit
No never had an issue with anything.
PsychologicalAsk3547@reddit
Not travel specific but I am similar in that I renewed my passport just before we got married and don't want to spend the money again so soon lol! I use it for travel etc fine as long as the booking matches and anytime I've used it as ID for legal documents (healthcare, mortgage, bank, bills etc) I just send my marriage certificate with it. I basically live under both names and it's been no issue.
Fleurlamie111@reddit
Completely unrelated to your post, but I just noticed that people were randomly down voting your comments and I can’t understand it lol.
Actually related to your post, I definitely travelled on my maiden name passport as it still had like 6 years left on it. But I did end up changing it before it expired.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
I think it's because I am indeed overthinking! And thank you
porksandrecreation@reddit
I get married this year and we’ve booked our honeymoon for next year and I was also confused what to do. I spoke to where we booked and they said if I need to book in my maiden name for now, they can change everything over for me if I send a copy of my marriage certificate. It just needs to match my passport either way.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
That's lovely of them, good to know. And congrats, have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!
Strawberry_Spring@reddit
Just since it doesn't seem to be clear from the other responses, you do not _change your name' after marriage in the UK. There's no big database of names, and no one cares what name you use as long as the intent isn't to deceive
All you actually do is change your name on your documents/accounts. I got married in 2023, and changed my name (double barreled) with the bank soon after. I changed my car insurance, passport, and driving licence as they came up for renewal, between the wedding and literally last week
There are probably more things I'll want to change, I'm sure I'll remember as they come up
polka-dotss@reddit
As long as your booking and passports match you're fine. My husband lost my passport 10 days before our honeymoon so I had to renew and had my maiden name for the next ten years! Had no problems
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Thank you, did you need to get visas for any of the locations or need to claim insurance for anything?
Max_Power_332@reddit
What exactly are you imagining this is going to be a problem for? Just get visas and insurance in whatever name is on your passport. You’re acting like this way bigger of a deal than it actually is.
polka-dotss@reddit
No insurance or visas. Only problem I had was COVID passes way back when in my married name which didn't match. I took my marriage certificate in case and no one even looked!
geekypenguin91@reddit
Let your passport expire and renew 3 months before you get married with your new married name if you're that bothered.
You can still book things under your new name now, and enter your new passport number when you get it. It's very rare to be asked for a passport number when you book.
Or just travel on your maiden name for the next 9 years. As long as everything is booked in the same names you're fine. I would also recommend not updating your name with your GP if you do that so your GHIC can stay in the same name as on your passport
Worth_Kangaroo_6900@reddit
Why would you be uncomfortable about travelling in your own actual name? Sorry not understanding. What is the issue? The insurance is yours and your name, you don’t suddenly have to change your name just because you get married. Either way congrats.
toonlass91@reddit
I changed mine but only cos it was due to renew just after the wedding but I know people who still use their maiden name on theirs
moreidlethanwild@reddit
You can use it as long as you like, it’s still your name.
Source - didn’t change my passport for years because I used my maiden name professionally. Bank accounts were in married name but passport was not. Zero issue.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Thank you, did you need to get visas for any of the locations or need to claim insurance for anything?
moreidlethanwild@reddit
Visas yes, insurance claims no.
It’s your legal name still in the U.K., the name you were born with. You have a birth certificate and a marriage certificate.
Honestly you’re overthinking this. Visas only want to match information with your passport.
princess-moo@reddit
As long as your booking matches the passport name it’s fine- you don’t need the passport number to book. I booked travel in my married name before I’d received my new passport. If you’re not going to use it til Iceland, it’s a waste of money to renew it as you’ll need to pay to update your name anyway
THROWRAsaltylemon@reddit
If you have booked flight tickets with your maiden name then the name on your passport needs to match, and preferably other bookings for the holiday for identification purposes. If you renew your passport now with your current name and use it to go on holiday, you can just apply for a new passport after that when you change your name. You know you don't have to wait for a passport to expire for you to get a new one with your new name?
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Hi, I don't have my new married name yet, will be over a year until I do. Same for the honeymoon which we have not booked yet. It would be to get the most out of the passport fees!
THROWRAsaltylemon@reddit
If nothing has been booked yet, and you really are worried about the passport fees and want to use a different name when booking the holiday, why not change your name prior?
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Can you change your last name legally earlier than your actual wedding??
THROWRAsaltylemon@reddit
You can change your name to anything at anytime in the UK (minus some exceptions), you will just have to do it via deed poll instead of using a marriage certificate to change the name.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Just googled it and apparently deed polls are 53 quid. Fair enough price but not worth the savings as opposed to 2x 100 quid passport fees I think
THROWRAsaltylemon@reddit
That's only if you enroll a deed poll, which is not a requirement to update your name on documents such as your passport.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Would have to change it on other documents too though which would likely require enrolled deed polls, e.g. banks
THROWRAsaltylemon@reddit
An unenrolled deed poll holds just as much weight as an enrolled one. It's usually best to get one form of identification changed to your new name first (such as your passport) then use that along with the unenrolled deed poll to change your name on accounts elsewhere, such as at the bank.
Most often an enrolled one is rarely required, so it's not worth enrolling unless you absolutely have to. Check what your bank says about how to change the name on your account.
But one thing to note if you are changing your name to match your future husband's prior to marriage is that since this will be your official name at the time of the marriage, that is what will go on the marriage certificate. Unsure if you still wanted to have your current name on there.
Feeling-Bluebird8413@reddit
Yes, but would have to be by deed poll.
GooseyDuckDuck@reddit
Married ten years, and my wife hasn't changed her name on anything - it's just so much easier not to.
PS, you don't need to change your name on anything official anyway, just keep using your maiden name.
Historical_Heron4801@reddit
As long as your booking matches your passport, you're grand.
The only time this may be an issue is if your passport doesn't match a credit card or something if you're asked for ID. Which is much rather now than when I married and we were still using travellers cheques. Carrying a copy of your marriage cert would cover that rare circumstance.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
KindlyAppointment973@reddit
So I did actually have a problem with this unfortunately.
My driving license came up for renewal after marriage so I thought it was a good time to change my name to my married name legally, and i also changed things like my bank and mortgage. I changed everything but my passport because it still had years left on it.
Fast forward to now having my first baby. I needed to get into the government One login to be able to sort the childcare funded hours etc. It would not verify my identity. I tried everything and spent bloody ages on the phone to them but it boiled down to failing the identity check because my hmrc, driving license, passport etc didn't all match.
So long story short having one piece of Id not match the rest caused a huge headache and I had to change my passport anyway.
Some people don't have a problem and so maybe I was unlucky, but I wish I'd just changed all of it or none of it at the same time.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
That sounds frustrating! thankfully it was fixable though through a bit of effort. Didn't even consider ID checks as a potential issue
KindlyAppointment973@reddit
Definitely, as soon as I changed it I've had zero problems since. I had every form of id you can think of in my married name but it literally was a case of computer says no without my passport matching.
Very annoying but for the sake of the money in the grand scheme of things I would just change everything at once.
FreeBogwoppits@reddit
I've just renewed mine, still in my maiden name. It's been six years now, never been a problem.
artynon@reddit
You are not married yet. So it’s not your name. Wait until you get married and see how you feel.
anonyfitz@reddit
Don’t change your name.
love_in_october@reddit
It's completely legal to use two different names. Just make sure your passport name matches all your bookings. My husband and I got married over two years ago and we've been to numerous locations with his maiden name still on his passport, there's no point paying for a new one before it expires.
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Thank you, did you need to get visas for any of the locations or need to claim insurance for anything?
love_in_october@reddit
We went to Canada, America and Japan which have some extra checks but not quite visas I think. He just put his married name under "other names". We haven't had to claim insurance for anything thankfully but he wouldn't need his passport for that (changing your driver's licence is free and pretty easy).
followingtheleader@reddit
I think you're over thinking this tbh. I would just change it after you get back from Iceland. Just book everything and travel with your maiden name? I know plenty of wives who just stayed with their maiden name until it was time to renew because of the hassle. Having been married and divorced, I don't think I'll ever change my name again
chimeranue@reddit (OP)
Hi, it will expire before we go to Iceland in over a years time
followingtheleader@reddit
Yea I know, you said you’re renewing it so just travel on that for as long as you want. There’s no need to take your marriage certificate if you just book in your maiden name
Upstairs-Quail5709@reddit
Why even consider taking husband's surname?
Strong_Roll5639@reddit
I've not changed mine and been married 6 years. Always book flights in my maiden name and had no issues.
Heraonolympia123@reddit
As long as the tickets are in the name on the passport, you dont have any issues.
oscarx-ray@reddit
My wife has her maiden name on her passport at the moment - not due for renewal for a few years. She's used it for two years without any issue - we just need to book things under her maiden name.
Adventurous-Elk-5193@reddit
Just don't change your name on your passport? Why would you need to take your marriage certificate with you?
You are under no legal obligation whatsoever to change your name and it's a huge faff.
I have everything in my maiden name except one bank account and my driving license ( for niche reasons!).
I'm not sure I'm understanding the problem
MrsKToBe@reddit
I was in the same position- I kept my maiden name on my passport and I’ve never had an issue.
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