Travelling home in an emergency

[HelenBradley 28]

I have to travel home next week to the UK for a visit as there has been a family emergency.

I got my greencard from a K1 last April. My problem is that my greencard is in my married name, and my passport is in my maiden name.

I gather that I'll be fine when I leave the US, but am I likely to encounter any problem when I return since my return ticket will be in my maiden name?

Has anyone had any experience returning with differing names?

Do I need to organize anything before I leave? Or make sure I take something?

Thanks everyone, this is a wee bit stressful and I wish I'd thought to get my passport organised sooner.

Helen

Edited March 18, 2012 by Helen Louise

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If you are staying home long enough you could see about getting a new passport in your married name while you are there, you should get your old one back, you then explain when you board that you just updated your passport and show both. Otherwise take a copy of your wedding licience and explain why you are lazy about the passport thing.

[HelenBradley 28]

If you are staying home long enough you could see about getting a new passport in your married name while you are there, you should get your old one back, you then explain when you board that you just updated your passport and show both. Otherwise take a copy of your wedding licience and explain why you are lazy about the passport thing.

Thanks, I hadn't even thought about changing my passport when I was there. You can get it done in one day so I'd definitely have time.

I know your ticket must be in the name on your passport...do you think there'd be a problem with returning with a passport in the married name and ticket in maiden name?

I actually have the passport forms here as we'd planned to travel this summer but now I have to go sooner and don't have time to change my passport.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Has anyone had any experience returning with differing names?

Do I need to organize anything before I leave? Or make sure I take something?

Take your marriage certificate to show name change if asked. You don't have to get a new passport until yours expires. Generally ticketing and airline hassle is less if passport name and ticket name match.

In the check-in line at Heathrow, the security guy who looks at passports, ESTA etc was announcing something about "your names must match on your documents". When my turn came, being curious I asked, "What if somebody got married but their passport was still in their maiden name?" He said "they show a marriage certificate. It happens all day long here." But I have heard others who said their airline counter balked giving out boarding passes when the ticket name and passport name didn't match. Getting back in the US with your greencard shouldn't be a problem.

[HelenBradley 28]

Take your marriage certificate to show name change if asked. You don't have to get a new passport until yours expires. Generally ticketing and airline hassle is less if passport name and ticket name match.

In the check-in line at Heathrow, the security guy who looks at passports, ESTA etc was announcing something about "your names must match on your documents". When my turn came, being curious I asked, "What if somebody got married but their passport was still in their maiden name?" He said "they show a marriage certificate. It happens all day long here." But I have heard others who said their airline counter balked giving out boarding passes when the ticket name and passport name didn't match. Getting back in the US with your greencard shouldn't be a problem.

So do you think I should keep my maiden name passport until I come back?

And then I only have to deal with CBP here instead of people in the UK.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Thanks, I hadn't even thought about changing my passport when I was there. You can get it done in one day so I'd definitely have time.

I know your ticket must be in the name on your passport...do you think there'd be a problem with returning with a passport in the married name and ticket in maiden name?

I actually have the passport forms here as we'd planned to travel this summer but now I have to go sooner and don't have time to change my passport.

If you get the passport updated you could either show both old and new and marriage certificate or drop by the ticket counter and explain and I bet they could spit out a new ticket in the new last name. Personally I changed the passport after marriage. Even though it had years left on it , it seems better proof that you have adapted to your marriage when you change your legal documents to your new name.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Book the ticket in the name on the passport and bring a copy of your marriage cert. No problem. I'd change the passport later.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Book the ticket in the name on the passport and bring a copy of your marriage cert. No problem. I'd change the passport later.

Agree with this 100%.

As far as changing docs to show committment to marriage...I'm highly committed to my marriage and still use my former husband's surname on every document. USCIS doesn't care. UK hubby is one step away from citizenship.

Edited March 18, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[HelenBradley 28]

Agree with this 100%.

As far as changing docs to show committment to marriage...I'm highly committed to my marriage and still use my former husband's surname on every document. USCIS doesn't care. UK hubby is one step away from citizenship.

Thanks!

I do plan to change my passport...but it didn't seem like the highest priority. As you say, I am still 100% committed to my marriage.

I'll let you know how it goes! It's just one less thing to worry about in this process of returning home for an emergency.

Thanks again

Book the ticket in the name on the passport and bring a copy of your marriage cert. No problem. I'd change the passport later.

Thanks

This is what I will do.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Book the ticket in the name on the passport and bring a copy of your marriage cert. No problem. I'd change the passport later.

Works perfectly. You will only need the marriage cert. copy when you re-enter the US,show it with your passport and Green card