Worried I just made a huge mistake

[Gage 2]

Last night I just booked my wife's trip home for the holidays. It's non-refundable and non-changeable, but that didn't concern me when I booked it because everything about how I did it made sense at the time. Now that I've had overnight to think about it, I'm worried I could have made a huge mistake.

My wife is from Russia and holds a Russian passport. You can see from my signature where we're at in the AOS process. I purchased her airline tickets in her married name, which made sense to me since it's now her legal name. Where I'm starting to get worried is that she has very little in the way of identification that shows this as her name. Here's what she has:

Russian passport with her maiden name

South Dakota driver's license in her maiden name (we can't get it changed to her married name until she gets GC or EAD)

Certified copy of our marriage license

Advanced Parole documents in her married name (with her photo of course)

Do you think she'll be okay, or is she going to have problems?

[MonkeyJuice 3]

International flights require that the flight is booked in the name that matches the passport.

Some domestic flights allow you to use marriage cert & ID to prove the name change.

Can you call the airline to double check?

[Gage 2]

International flights require that the flight is booked in the name that matches the passport.

Some domestic flights allow you to use marriage cert & ID to prove the name change.

Can you call the airline to double check?

Great, that's what I was worried about. Orbitz made a point of noting that name changes are not allowed when I booked the tickets, but maybe a direct call to the airlines will help, or perhaps they can tell me if she doesn't need to worry about it.

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Yeah, I was gonna suggest to try & do a name change but if they won't allow it then I would call them to double check. I hope it's ok.

[Jeff and Tatiana 0]

If you are a advantage or some other mileage type of customer and can call that phone number rather than the normal customer service number at the airlines. Often the frequent flyer people are a bit more helpful and have had the years of service to be able to wrangle the system to help you. Just a suggestion, but if you booked it with a frequent flyer number, then I would try that route!

Good Luck!

-Jeff

[Gage 2]

If it requires a name change, hopefully they're willing to work with me. I'm sure people like us must get in this situation frequently. My thought process at the time of booking was that I should make it in her legal name, and the name that matches her advanced parole documents. I was worried that if I made it in her maiden name, then it wouldn't match her advanced parole documents and customs might give her a hard time. It's what I get for over thinking things, I guess.

[Gage 2]

Well, just talked to an airline agent and they said it wasn't necessary to change the reservation as long as she had a certified copy of our marriage license. I hope they're right. I'm more worried about her getting flack from TSA security than I am an airline ticket agent.

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, just talked to an airline agent and they said it wasn't necessary to change the reservation as long as she had a certified copy of our marriage license. I hope they're right. I'm more worried about her getting flack from TSA security than I am an airline ticket agent.

I think that if you research Vj threads, you'll find loads of ladies who have travelled this way with little problem.

While your wife is back home, it might be worth her while to see if she can get her passport changed to her married name. If she decides to do this, find out for certain how long the process will take. She of course will need a passport to return home and she will need it for AOS.

[Gage 2]

Well, just talked to an airline agent and they said it wasn't necessary to change the reservation as long as she had a certified copy of our marriage license. I hope they're right. I'm more worried about her getting flack from TSA security than I am an airline ticket agent.

I think that if you research Vj threads, you'll find loads of ladies who have travelled this way with little problem.

While your wife is back home, it might be worth her while to see if she can get her passport changed to her married name. If she decides to do this, find out for certain how long the process will take. She of course will need a passport to return home and she will need it for AOS.

Thank you, that makes me feel a bit better.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

While I hope it all works out fine for your wife (and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't), you -- and hopefully many new members on this board -- may now understand how many implications the name change for an immigrant has, even more when it comes to acquiring US citizenship, and many times more so when the person is from a country like Russia that does not allow dual citizenship.

There will always be the issue with two passports, one of the without a valid visa to Russia, two names, one mismatched passenger manifest, and the big riddle which passport to use when leaving Mother Russia again.

All that because of a name change.

[Ivan in VA 2]

They will recognize a certified copy of your marriage certificate. My wife has opened 2 bank accounts simply with her passport (maiden name) and a marriage certificate. From experience though, I always suggest purchasing travelers insurance. A call to the airlines could confirm their policy and you can make arrangements with them so that they are aware. You could also simply ask them to change the information to show her maiden name with married name; Jane Doe Buck.

I have always purchased through Orbitz. Read the fine print again as they state that the airlines are the final arbitrator in cancelations and most do allow you to make changes for specific reasons.

Good Luck

[Jeff and Tatiana 0]

In regards to the name change on the Russian Passport, some of the others may be able to give a more clear answer. But, in a few posts previously this year, I have seen someone state you can have the Married Name added to her passport. This is a quicker turnaround for the passport to be given back to you and does not necessitate as much of a hassel as I understood the poster. Just do a forum search for maiden name add to russian passport or something see if you can find the origional post. Maybe a bit of research on the Russian Consulate website? Anyway, I know it is easier and faster than a full redo of the passport.

-Jeff

[MonkeyJuice 3]

It's all upto the airline. Good luck & let us know how it goes.

[Leah 1]

Last night I just booked my wife's trip home for the holidays. It's non-refundable and non-changeable, but that didn't concern me when I booked it because everything about how I did it made sense at the time. Now that I've had overnight to think about it, I'm worried I could have made a huge mistake.

My wife is from Russia and holds a Russian passport. You can see from my signature where we're at in the AOS process. I purchased her airline tickets in her married name, which made sense to me since it's now her legal name. Where I'm starting to get worried is that she has very little in the way of identification that shows this as her name. Here's what she has:

Russian passport with her maiden name

South Dakota driver's license in her maiden name (we can't get it changed to her married name until she gets GC or EAD)

Certified copy of our marriage license

Advanced Parole documents in her married name (with her photo of course)

Do you think she'll be okay, or is she going to have problems?

Base on my own experience, she should be fine. When I traveled home last year, I also purchased a ticket on my married name not the same on my passport, because my passport was and is still on my maiden name. But, when I checked in, the airlines staff asked my marriage license and greencard which are both on my married name. So, tell your wife to have the marriage license on hand with her when she check in.

Your other option is, call the airlines. Btw, I flew through American Airlines.

[ScottThuy 140]

Most will allow you to cancel or make a change within 24 hours.. call the service you bought the tickets from