Germany vacation

[America15 0]

Hey y'all

I am a permanent resident since February. My husbands last name is stated on my green card. Now we want to travel to Germany in mid august. I already have a passport but with my old (maiden) last name.

I have an appointment at the German embassy to change my last name end of July and I'm not even sure of it's enough time to change it until our vacation starts.

I've read that many of you guys just take the marriage license with you to travel as a proof and when you enter the states you just used the green card.

My concern is just that if the embassy can not give me a new passport until our vacation that we either have issues to travel and enter Germany or come back to the united States.

Moreover, when I buy the tickets what name do I use? The name from my passport (maiden name) or the name from the green card with my husbands last name?

Has someone experience with it and can help me out? Thank you so much

Edited June 19, 2016 by America15

[Hypnos 6,576]

Always book travel in your passport name.

If the name on your passport does not match the name on your green card due to marriage, also carry a copy of your marriage certificate documenting that change.

[America15 0]

Thanks. But what if the embassy can change my name until our vacation? I have my maiden name then on the ticket?

I know i should 've think of this before but now it's too late and I don't want to book a flight 2 weeks before the vacation

[massel 4]

Thanks. But what if the embassy can change my name until our vacation? I have my maiden name then on the ticket?

I know i should 've think of this before but now it's too late and I don't want to book a flight 2 weeks before the vacation

Here's my experience:

I would suggest book your travels in your maiden name and bring your marriage certificate. You can't be sure that your new passport will arrive before you are traveling to Germany. And changing your last name on the ticket might be an hassle depending on the airline. Furthermore air fares are not getting cheaper closer to your planned departure.

You won't have any problems at the German border. They don't know that you are married and took your partners last name.

I did the same back in April. I had my appointment at the German consulate to get a passport in my new name in March. Travelled to Germany with my old passport and picked up the new passport after I came back to the states.

By the way, make sure that your marriage certificate is stating your new last name. Otherwise you have to make a "Namenserklärung" before you are able to get a passport with your new name.

Enjoy your trip to Germany!!!

Edited June 20, 2016 by massel

[America15 0]

Thank you massel

Well my marriage license just shows his full name, my full name (maiden name),place/date of marriage. Nothing that I have his last name now.

I guess they will see that my new last name matches now with my green card and see that the "bride's" name is my maiden name. I hope there will be no problems. ...

[massel 4]

Thank you massel

Well my marriage license just shows his full name, my full name (maiden name),place/date of marriage. Nothing that I have his last name now.

I guess they will see that my new last name matches now with my green card and see that the "bride's" name is my maiden name. I hope there will be no problems. ...

This probably won't be enough.

The marriage license has to state "New surname: xxx" Otherwise you really have to do a "Namenserklärung"

I'd suggest to send the consulate an email and ask what they need need. Just to be safe.

[NikLR 13,227]

I suggest waiting until after this trip to change the name on your passport to avoid issues currently.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I suggest waiting until after this trip to change the name on your passport to avoid issues currently.

This.

I changed my name in America 3 years ago, but I still travel on 2 passports with my maiden name. I just book tickets in my maiden name for foreign travel and my married name for domestic as my driver's license is in my married name. I figure I can just change the name on the passports when they are up for renewal.

[America15 0]

Well I think I won't have any problems to enter Germany with my old passport. I guess nobody cares if I'm married or not.

And if I want to enter the US I just need my green card and just in case my marriage license as a proof that my name in my passport and my green card are the same.

But I'll definitely double check.

[Hypnos 6,576]

LPRs require only their green card to re-enter the US, not a passport too.