Passport Name Change: Before or After Honeymoon?

[Gr8ful]

I looked through a lot of the threads, so I apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered! I'm am so panicked over this!

 

Here is my issue. Because we didn't want to go through the process of the marriage paperwork in Mexico, we got married stateside. Which means, right now, my name is legally different than my maiden name.

 

HOWEVER, my passport and my tickets are still in my maiden name -- so what do I do? We have two international trips booked in my maiden name -- Mexico in early November (less than a month away), Costa Rica immediately upon our return to Mexico.

 

Is it okay to wait until both those trips are over b/f I go about making all the changes to my travel documents, or do I have to do that now? And, do I have time to do this?

 

Please help -- I have looked on the web everywhere, and asked friends and colleagues. This seems to be a shade of gray that isn't particularly well-defined. My biggest problem is that there is so little time left. Any thoughts, help, direction would be extremely appreciated! Thank you!

[amandseth]

I went through the same thing, and was told (by Passport Canada) that the name on my passport must be the name on my tickets. Otherwise, you are going to have issues. Right now, your name is NOT legally different than your maiden name. Right now your legal name IS your maiden name. Many women never change their name. It doesn't legally become different until you pursue changing all your documents over. As long as your liscence, passport, and tickets all have your maiden name, you'll be fine. I would wait until you finish your traveling before stressing yourself out with the name change.

[Outdoor_girl1010]

As long as you haven't changed your DL and SS card you should be fine. Not all brides change their names after they get married.

[Jess]

yeah I'd wait to legally change your name - make it easier on yourself!

[alkoch]

I was told the same thing by my travel agent - as long as the passport name and the name on the ticket match you are fine!

[Gr8ful]

OMG, Thank you all SO much. You do not know (or maybe you do) how much anxiety, grief and tears you have saved me! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[drbrainfreeze]

Maureen - thanks for that info. I thought that I would have to pay to get my passport changed. Nice to know I have a year

[beachbum]

maureen, do you know if that's the case if you have to have it renewed? I've been holding off due to the issue that gr8ful has...my passport is going to expire 3 months after our wedding date.

[isaidyes]

I'd wait too! No sense in stressing

[sarah310]

Thanks for the info! i was wondering the same thing...