Honeymoon AFTER Green Card in hand

[CharlieTanger 76]

My spouse is getting the GC shortly. We are thrilled! We finally want to do our cruise honeymoon. I have a question.

The Green Card will be in hand, have the legal state driving permit (not actual license yet), and...and passport, the only issue is the UK passport contains my spouse's maiden name and on the Green Card married name. I know that traveling outside of the country on a Green Card is allowed, but with the name change...how does it work? Do we take the certified marriage certificate? How can we prove this to customs when we return? Is it easier than I'm thinking? Any ideas/comments would be great!

[CharlieTanger 76]

I should clarify. We are flying from NYC to Florida. So the flight will be "in-country," the only out of country part will be traveling on the cruise and back to the same port. How do we book the documents regarding maiden/married name?

Edited March 25, 2016 by CharlieTanger

[saphina 7]

Just take your marriage certificate with you. I still have my maiden name in my German passport and GC is in my married name. ive travelled like this multiple times and never had an issue. Most of the time they never even look at the marriage certificate but you should definitely have it.

Since y'all are traveling together that's even easier just go to the counter together.

I've always been told to book in the name that's in my passport which I've done and never had an issue. That was mainly airline requirement to have it in the passport name.

[CharlieTanger 76]

The thing is if we're traveling by air IN-country...passport isn't needed, is it? Wouldn't Green Card be enough? I know for USCitizen a drivers license is enough to travel in country.

Just not sure what name to book the airline and cruise ticket in?

[saphina 7]

Usually on national flights they will ask for your state ID and not the GC. you could have travelled on national flights prior to receiving the GC as you wouldn't be leaving the country. If it was me I would probably book everything in my maiden name, but that said I don't think you'll have an issue if the GC and local ID are in the married name to book with the married name.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The photo ID and ticket names should match for less explaining at ticket counters, check-in, etc. Use the UK passport for photo ID going to FL. That works. Have the marriage certificate for re-entry through US immigration to show name change since the green card name is different.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Great, thanks Nich! As always!

What about the cruise ticket? Maiden or married name?

Edited March 25, 2016 by CharlieTanger

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Great, thanks Nich! As always!

What about the cruise ticket? Maiden or married name?

I think the cruise line booking name should match the passport because that's like booking an international plane ticket where the passport will actually be required. The flight to FL, passport not required, but it can be photo ID, especially if part of the overall booking and tied to the cruise booking.

[CharlieTanger 76]

I think the cruise line booking name should match the passport because that's like booking an international plane ticket where the passport will actually be required. The flight to FL, passport not required, but it can be photo ID, especially if part of the overall booking and tied to the cruise booking.

So basically book the entire trip (flight and cruise) in passport name and then bring the marriage certificate and Green Card for re-entry at the port. Is this correct?

This will be enough if the CBP Officer asks why the name is different from the passport to the Green Card?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So basically book the entire trip (flight and cruise) in passport name and then bring the marriage certificate and Green Card for re-entry at the port. Is this correct?

This will be enough if the CBP Officer asks why the name is different from the passport to the Green Card?

That's what I would do. CBP will actually have records of the green card and such and there should be no big issue proving anything. People do it all the time. But the marriage certificate is available in case there is a name question.

The other way, booking tickets in the married name, would require long explanations at counters or boarding why Joe Smith is using Joe Jones' ticket. Well Joe has a marriage certificate to explain. Hmmm ....I don't know so will need to find a supervisor. The airlines and cruise lines don't have an immigration history on their computer so more explaining and such. In theory it should work but why bother?

[CharlieTanger 76]

Sounds good to me! ??

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Since I have never been on a cruise, I asked my cruising friend when the passport is used....like do you show it at every land excursion. He said "They check it when you board then they issue you a room key that is used for everything. When you enter the ship at different ports they scan the card and it brings up all info." Sounds pretty streamlined.

[marianath 27]

Book everything under her Passports Last Name.

Bring her GC and all supporting documents i.e. marriage certificate.

Also, what country is her passport ? Even if having a green card, check with the countries that your cruise is going to if she needs a visa prior to travelling.

Check with your travel agent for that info or call the immediate embassy of the countries your ship is docking/visiting.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Since I have never been on a cruise, I asked my cruising friend when the passport is used....like do you show it at every land excursion. He said "They check it when you board then they issue you a room key that is used for everything. When you enter the ship at different ports they scan the card and it brings up all info." Sounds pretty streamlined.

Yup, I've been on a cruise before and that's exactly what they do! I totally forgot...your room key is basically your cruising passport lol

[Longrangeshootr 20]

I booked a cruise in sept. with carnival to the carribean. I explained to my carnival planner that my wife's passport was under her maiden name and her green card was under her married name. He booked us under her married name and said also to bring the marriage license to show the name change.