Travel Within the US before SSN/AOS? Which ID to Use?

[Stacyyy 23]

My husband and I would like to fly from Chicago to Boston in a couple weeks for the holidays. I entered on a K-1 and have married him since. I do not have a SSN yet and we haven't filed the AOS paperwork yet.

I believe that I can travel freely within the US before getting a SSN and adjusting my status, but I'm not 100% sure. I know that I would have to have my passport with me as ID. Can I use my military spouse ID to travel or my Canadian drivers license rather than my passport, as long as it's with me? Does it make a difference which document I use to travel with?

Are there any additional documents I should bring with me?

[Pitaya 2,577]

A lot of folks will likely suggest that you carry your passport and a copy of your marriage license.

Happy Holidays.

[Kisturia 7]

As long as you travel without a stop in another country you*ll be fine! You're allowed to travel within the US!
You should take the passport and marriage certificate with you. They probably won't even want to see the latter

Did you change your name after marriage? If so, I hope you booked the airline ticket on your maiden name.

[Neonred 3,564]

Pretty much any official picture ID that matches the name on your ticket, or accompanied by the marriage certificate to confirm the new name if that is what you used to book the ticket.

[supu 0]

Hi! We also having same confusion about travel within Us as we want to travel from Texas to LA ,I have my passport in maiden name and filed AOS after marraige name.i got both SSN in maiden as well as after marraige name.is there any other document required to travel?

[aaron2020 11,651]

There is no contact with US immigration when flying domestically in the US. Immigration status is a non-issue. Even illegal aliens with a valid ID can fly domestically since there is no contact with US immigration.

All you need is a valid ID such as a passport. If the wife took the husband's last name and used that to book the tickets, then a copy of the marriage certificate is also required. (IMHO, it's best to book with the name in the passport.)

Here is a list of acceptable ID for flying in the US. US military ID and Canadian driver's license are both acceptable forms of ID.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids

Edited December 17, 2013 by aaron2020

[Stacyyy 23]

Thanks for all of your help!

I have technically changed my name but don't have anything other than the marriage certificate, and the military ID to prove that. We haven't booked the the tickets yet but I think I will book in my name and use my passport as ID as it seems to be the simplest option.

[Stacyyy 23]

Hi! We also having same confusion about travel within Us as we want to travel from Texas to LA ,I have my passport in maiden name and filed AOS after marraige name.i got both SSN in maiden as well as after marraige name.is there any other document required to travel?

Based on what everyone is saying here, if you book the ticket in your new name and do not have photo ID with your new name on it, then you should bring your marriage certificate with you. If you book the ticket using your maiden name then your passport should be enough.

[carton025 38]

You might want to contact the airline(s) and ask them what is acceptable and needed and they are the one that will make the final decision(s).

[Stacyyy 23]

Would both of our tickets with my mine using my new last name be good evidence to bring to the AOS interview?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Would both of our tickets with my mine using my new last name be good evidence to bring to the AOS interview?

It's a single piece of evidence. By itself, it's not strong evidence of a bona fide marriage. As part of a package with other evidence, it may be helpful. However, I don't think it pushes it one way or the other.

IMHO, since you have the US military ID with your new surname, I would go with that.