Renewing U.K passport in the U.K

[PearlyLemons 13]

Hello U.K VJers,

I have a question - I have recently adjusted from a K1 visa and have been granted my 2 year GC. I am hoping to plan a trip back to the U.K at the end of this month and thought it would be a good time to renew my passport and update it in my married name in person in London. Now, I use my married name and my U.S documents are in my married name. I know there will not be an issue leaving the U.S or entering the U.K as I will have my marriage license as proof of name change and my plane ticket will be in my maiden name( as my passport is), BUT, if I get my passport renewed whilst in the U.K, will I have issues with the round trip plane ticket being in my maiden name? I've heard that your passport name needs to match names on the tickets - so it will be fine leaving the U.S but I'm not even sure they will be okay with me boarding a plane at Heathrow with my maiden name on ticket. Since it's cheaper to book a round ticket than two singles, does anyone know a way around this or if it will cause issues? Also, do I get to keep my defunct passport? It has my K1 visa page in it, which I know isn't too important now , but y'know, would like to keep it just in case, hah!

Thank-you

Emmy

[Clair.S 5]

I believe they do send your old passport back, I'm currently in the process of changing my name on my passport. Your best bet is probably to ring your airline(s) and see what their policy is about name changes etc. Also if you plan on doing the premium passport service, I would advise you to book your appointment asap as the appointment date can be up to 3 weeks from the date you book, especially this time of year as everyone wants their passports ready for the summer holidays!

[cathy2904 97]

My husband just renewed his passport and they kept the old one. I might be wrong but I think they have stopped letting you keep the old one - probably for security reasons, to avoid having too many 'spare' passports floating around.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I asked the question once at Heathrow of the guy managing the line approaching the airline counter....the ones who look at passports and tickets before you get up to the counter/baggage check. He was shouting....make sure you have your ESTA...your names must match on your documents....etc. So I asked him, what if a lady got married and she booked a ticket in one name and the passport was in another? He said then a marriage certificate would be needed to show why the names are different. And he said "we see that all day long here". So I believe the advice to book the ticket in the name on the passport is to get through the airport with the least discussion. But you can do what you are wanting to do. You will have your old passport and marriage license to sort it all out.

If renewing by mail, the old passport should come back in a separate mailing. Somebody around the forum works in the passport office. Is it Nobbie? Hopefully more info will be posted.

[Owen_London 65]

My husband just renewed his passport and they kept the old one. I might be wrong but I think they have stopped letting you keep the old one - probably for security reasons, to avoid having too many 'spare' passports floating around.

If that's true, it's a very recent change. They usually send the old one back separately, with any supporting documents you had to send. For most on here, they need the old passport back, as it contains their US visa.

[cathy2904 97]

My apologies for my misleading information in that case.

[nobbie 105]

I asked the question once at Heathrow of the guy managing the line approaching the airline counter....the ones who look at passports and tickets before you get up to the counter/baggage check. He was shouting....make sure you have your ESTA...your names must match on your documents....etc. So I asked him, what if a lady got married and she booked a ticket in one name and the passport was in another? He said then a marriage certificate would be needed to show why the names are different. And he said "we see that all day long here". So I believe the advice to book the ticket in the name on the passport is to get through the airport with the least discussion. But you can do what you are wanting to do. You will have your old passport and marriage license to sort it all out.

If renewing by mail, the old passport should come back in a separate mailing. Somebody around the forum works in the passport office. Is it Nobbie? Hopefully more info will be posted.

Nope not me, never been near the passport office.