Traveling with Different Last Name on GC and Passport

[shayden10 78]

Hello Vjers!

 

I am writing because next week is my sister's wedding in Canada, so my husband and I are headed home for a week to celebrate with her and see my family....

 

I recently completed the AOS process from a K1 visa and received my conditional green card at the beginning of September. I am nervous because my Canadian passport is still in my maiden name, however my green card is in my married name. I intend to take my marriage certificate with us as proof of the name change, but is there anything else I should bring?

 

In addition, my passport doesn't expire until 1/20, I want to wait until closer to expiration to get a new one as I just renewed it two years ago. Will this cause issues if I continue to travel with the documents displaying different names? 

 

Thank you for any advice in advance!

 

Sydney

[optlh0 19]

I don't think you'll have any issues as long as you bring your marriage certificate. Having said that, you never know for sure how any individual airline gate agent, TSA agent, or border patrol officer will handle it. Getting your passport changed earlier eliminates the hassle of having to remember to bring your marriage certificate every time, and the stress of going through a checkpoint where you have to show multiple documents and explain why your name doesn't match....

Edited October 3, 2017 by optlh0

[Dashinka 24,505]

My wife regularly travels with a different name (maiden) on her passport and her GC in her new married name.  Make sure you purchase airline tickets in the name on the passport, and as already mentioned take a copy of your marriage certificate with you in case you are asked about the difference.

 

Safe Travels!

[shayden10 78]

Thank you both for the advice!

 

I am lucky in that my Canadian home is within driving distance, so I won't need an airline ticket, but I will remember the name matching the passport should I get a ticket prior to getting my name changed.