Name change and Travel to Ukraine

[Oksana & Max 94]

I am pretty sure that this topic was covered multiple times, but I couldn't find the answer.

Here is the situation me and my wife got married about 3 month ago. We filed AOS / EAD / AP with her married last name.

We are hoping to receive her AP soon so we can travel back to Ukraine. Her AP will be in married name however her Ukrainian Passport is in maiden name. How do we go about booking a ticket with her maiden name or married name, I don't want to have any issues entering ukraine, leaving ukraine, or entering US.

Any suggestions?

[spectec 12]

I am pretty sure that this topic was covered multiple times, but I couldn't find the answer.

Here is the situation me and my wife got married about 3 month ago. We filed AOS / EAD / AP with her married last name.

We are hoping to receive her AP soon so we can travel back to Ukraine. Her AP will be in married name however her Ukrainian Passport is in maiden name. How do we go about booking a ticket with her maiden name or married name, I don't want to have any issues entering ukraine, leaving ukraine, or entering US.

Any suggestions?

I asked the same question once and was advised to make ticket reservations in the name on the passport. Show the passport and AP card when returning and keep a copy of your marriage license with you in case there are any questions.

Edited June 25, 2012 by spectec

[1HappyGuy 45]

We book tickets using my wife's name on the passport. It's less of a problem traveling that way. Upon return she just flashes her green card and goes right through. I'm sure the AP will work just as well. As a back up, she always carries a copy of our marriage certificate. Hope your AP comes soon.

[Oksana & Max 94]

Thanks for the responses.

[Turboguy 6]

My wife is in Russia visiting her Mom right now. What we have done on every trip so far was to book the domestic part of her trip in her married name and the international part with her maiden name which is the name on her passport. If you are booking everything at one time go with the name on the passport. My wife also carries a copy of our marriage certificate when she travels. The question you are asking is one that many of us run into. One thing that caught us by surprise was when we took a vacation to Aruba. We booked the tickets in her married name and since that was not the name on her passport they would not let her board with that ticket. They did however rebook her using the name on her passport at no charge so it was not a big deal, just a small hastle.

[Dave&Roza 748]

For international travel the name in the document used for ID must match the name on the ticket and that document just happens to be the passport. All the AP or GC does is allow you back into teh US without having to obtain a visa to do so. All requirements of the foreign passport must still be met--i.e. transit visas and tourist visas. The GC amy help in obtaining a tourist visa that a person from the foreing country without a GC may not be able to get, but there are no guarantees. So you should always check the requirements for travel visas for the foreign passport and obtain all necessary visas before booking flights. As USC we tend to forget that visas are required in order to enter another country. At least as a FSU visitor you realize that a tourist visa is requried for a USC.

For domestic travel the name on the ID used must match the name on the ticket or TSA will not let you into the secure area. However you can use a foreign passport or other US government issued ID like the GC, AP, Driver's License, etc.

Enjoy your trip,

Dave