Travel to PH: ticket name matches EAD, not passport

[Greenbaum 12,259]

10 hours ago, snowcat said:

Hi everyone, thank you for your input. I just called both Expedia (which is the 3rd party I booked with) and EVA Air. Expedia was not able to help much since my trip has already been partially completed, and forwarded me to EVA Air. I called EVA Air's local Philippine number and was told that they can just note my maiden name in my booking, so that the EVA Air check-in counter will definitely allow me to board the plane to the US (as long as I have other valid IDs in my married name - and I do have my DL, EAD/AP card, and my marriage cert with me). She said that the only problem I may encounter would be at SF Airport, at Immigrations. But I'm assuming I should be fine once I enter the USA since my EAD is in my married name anyway? And I can show my marriage certificate to back it up also? 

I agree with Hank. You shouldn't have a problem. You maybe called to secondary screening once you arrive in the US but with all the ID information you should be fine. Your not going to be the first one to have made this mistake. Enjoy the rest of your time in PI and safe travels.

 

Once you return back to the States and get settled return back here to your thread and let us know what took place. That will help someone else in the future to know what to do.

 

Edited February 19, 2018 by Greenbaum

[payxibka 10,045]

23 hours ago, snowcat said:

Hi everyone, thank you for your input. I just called both Expedia (which is the 3rd party I booked with) and EVA Air. Expedia was not able to help much since my trip has already been partially completed, and forwarded me to EVA Air. I called EVA Air's local Philippine number and was told that they can just note my maiden name in my booking, so that the EVA Air check-in counter will definitely allow me to board the plane to the US (as long as I have other valid IDs in my married name - and I do have my DL, EAD/AP card, and my marriage cert with me). She said that the only problem I may encounter would be at SF Airport, at Immigrations. But I'm assuming I should be fine once I enter the USA since my EAD is in my married name anyway? And I can show my marriage certificate to back it up also? 

Problem was always going to be getting on the plane...  Getting entry into the US is not going to be an issue with differences in names as long as you can show them the document that bridges the name gap...  For most people that is the marriage license.  

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

On 2/18/2018 at 8:05 PM, snowcat said:

Hi everyone, thank you for your input. I just called both Expedia (which is the 3rd party I booked with) and EVA Air. Expedia was not able to help much since my trip has already been partially completed, and forwarded me to EVA Air. I called EVA Air's local Philippine number and was told that they can just note my maiden name in my booking, so that the EVA Air check-in counter will definitely allow me to board the plane to the US (as long as I have other valid IDs in my married name - and I do have my DL, EAD/AP card, and my marriage cert with me). She said that the only problem I may encounter would be at SF Airport, at Immigrations. But I'm assuming I should be fine once I enter the USA since my EAD is in my married name anyway? And I can show my marriage certificate to back it up also? 

We knew that my asawa would be able to get in the USA no problem because she had everything was supposed to have with her which was marriage license, passport, green card, and extension letter. Not to mention our USC 2 year old daughter at the time. The only issue was if Philippine Airlines was going to let her fly with a ticket in her married name, but a passport in her maiden name. When we were at LAX PAL straight up said that she would not be able to travel unless they change it in the system to her maiden name, and that took 20 minutes. It was the same way in Manila as well when we were flying down to Davao. She had no problem coming back with just her and our daughter. 

[snowcat 58]

I'm happy to report that I am back in the USA!  

 

Calling EVA Airways ahead of time to let them know of my mismatching names was the way to go; I didn't have to pay anything for a ticket change - all they had to do was note my maiden name on their end. Had absolutely no problems boarding the plane; the EVA Air agent at the check-in counter just asked for 2 valid forms of ID in my married name and I was good to go. Immigrations at the PH airport (NAIA) also didn't give me a problem. I was nervous and hurriedly explained the mismatching names, offering my 2 government IDs and my marriage certificate to the officer, but he just smirked and said "it's ok, Ma'am, your ID picture on your passport looks exactly like you, I don't doubt that this is actually you". Woo!

 

The only thing that held me up was immigrations in SF, since, as warned by most of you, I had to go through secondary screening... Had to wait over 30 minutes for that process! I had thought they would just be able to search my name in their database and find the information they need to clear me within seconds, but nope! After waiting 20 minutes, one of the officers came out and asked if I had a job in the US (why does that matter?), and why I went back to the Philippines... then she went back in after I answered her questions, and I had to wait another ~20 minutes before she gave me back my passport and told me I was good to go. Not complaining too much since at least I still got in without a problem, but still! Didn't think it would need to take that long?

 

Now I'm wondering if I should change my passport name to my married name, so I could avoid all this confusion for future travels? I will be traveling to the Philippines again this coming July for around 2 weeks as one of my best friends is getting married... Would you guys suggest I go through the process of changing my passport name now (will I have enough time)? I was originally going to wait for my GC as advised by other forum members in another thread, but idk...

[Hank_ 9,174]

Did you complete ROM through the consulate representing the state where you were married?   If not that will need to be completed before you can renew your passport in your married name.

 

Glad you had little issue with EVA but after you call to them earlier I didn't think they would be the issue,  just CBP .. and they were typical.   

 

Glad you are home safe.

[snowcat 58]

1 minute ago, Hank_ said:

Did you complete ROM through the consulate representing the state where you were married?   If not that will need to be completed before you can renew your passport in your married name.

 

Glad you had little issue with EVA but after you call to them earlier I didn't think they would be the issue,  just CBP .. and they were typical.   

 

Glad you are home safe.

Yes I completed the ROM right after I got my marriage certificate last May 2017. I just was under the impression that it would be better to change my name on my passport after I get my GC? But if I can do it before then, I think I would, so as to avoid any further confusion...

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just now, snowcat said:

Yes I completed the ROM right after I got my marriage certificate last May 2017. I just was under the impression that it would be better to change my name on my passport after I get my GC? But if I can do it before then, I think I would, so as to avoid any further confusion...

You can do it now while waiting for your GC.

 

 

[Kevo 69]

Just returned from Philippines last month with the same situation.  We had a marriage certificate with us, they asked to see it, and that solved the problem.  

 

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

16 hours ago, snowcat said:

I'm happy to report that I am back in the USA!  

 

Calling EVA Airways ahead of time to let them know of my mismatching names was the way to go; I didn't have to pay anything for a ticket change - all they had to do was note my maiden name on their end. Had absolutely no problems boarding the plane; the EVA Air agent at the check-in counter just asked for 2 valid forms of ID in my married name and I was good to go. Immigrations at the PH airport (NAIA) also didn't give me a problem. I was nervous and hurriedly explained the mismatching names, offering my 2 government IDs and my marriage certificate to the officer, but he just smirked and said "it's ok, Ma'am, your ID picture on your passport looks exactly like you, I don't doubt that this is actually you". Woo!

 

The only thing that held me up was immigrations in SF, since, as warned by most of you, I had to go through secondary screening... Had to wait over 30 minutes for that process! I had thought they would just be able to search my name in their database and find the information they need to clear me within seconds, but nope! After waiting 20 minutes, one of the officers came out and asked if I had a job in the US (why does that matter?), and why I went back to the Philippines... then she went back in after I answered her questions, and I had to wait another ~20 minutes before she gave me back my passport and told me I was good to go. Not complaining too much since at least I still got in without a problem, but still! Didn't think it would need to take that long?

 

Now I'm wondering if I should change my passport name to my married name, so I could avoid all this confusion for future travels? I will be traveling to the Philippines again this coming July for around 2 weeks as one of my best friends is getting married... Would you guys suggest I go through the process of changing my passport name now (will I have enough time)? I was originally going to wait for my GC as advised by other forum members in another thread, but idk...

I have to go thru secondary every time I come back from Philippines.

 

I have came back with luggage and no luggage, they open my suitcase and look thru it and ask me to empty my pockets.  They ask me why I am able to travel to Philippines so often and what is my occupations.

 

Does this happen to other Americans?

[snowcat 58]

On 2/28/2018 at 3:34 AM, Chris Duffy said:

I have to go thru secondary every time I come back from Philippines.

 

I have came back with luggage and no luggage, they open my suitcase and look thru it and ask me to empty my pockets.  They ask me why I am able to travel to Philippines so often and what is my occupations.

 

Does this happen to other Americans?

Yeah it sucks that the process takes too long. They didn't open my luggages, thankfully, but I had to wait for an hour, which I thought was unnecessary. I also don't know why it matters if we have a job or not... 

[javadown2 308]

Never mind, I see that you said you had filed the ROM. We want to get my wifes filipino passport changed to her married name but we would have to travel to our nearest consulate in San Francisco I think....we figured she can do it when we go visit...but that may be out of the question as it takes a long time and they take her passport? Anyways, just been wanting to know the answers to the same question about needing to change her passport. We will make sure we bring our marriage license. 

 

So...the best outcome is for my wife to use her name off of her passport? What about when it comes to our baby?

Edited May 14, 2018 by javadown2

[Hank_ 9,174]

8 minutes ago, javadown2 said:

Never mind, I see that you said you had filed the ROM. We want to get my wifes filipino passport changed to her married name but we would have to travel to our nearest consulate in San Francisco I think....we figured she can do it when we go visit...but that may be out of the question as it takes a long time and they take her passport? Anyways, just been wanting to know the answers to the same question about needing to change her passport. We will make sure we bring our marriage license. 

 

So...the best outcome is for my wife to use her name off of her passport? What about when it comes to our baby?

Yes.  Names on the airline tickets must match the passport.        

 

Not sure what you are asking with the baby..     Get Philippine passport also?  (at some point)

[payxibka 10,045]

17 minutes ago, javadown2 said:

What about when it comes to our baby?

The name on the passport

[javadown2 308]

8 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Yes.  Names on the airline tickets must match the passport.        

 

Not sure what you are asking with the baby..     Get Philippine passport also?  (at some point)

 

3 minutes ago, payxibka said:

The name on the passport

I guess it's not a big deal if you carry all the documents with you (babies birth certificate, marriage license, ((Baby has US passport)). I just hear that there can be issues if you can't prove that the babies mother is my wife. It's a non issue I guess, will just bring all the evidence with us. We will get the baby a Filipino passport as well. 

We have enough time to go ahead and get my wife's passport name change (going in October), so really it was a bad question, lol. 

 

I just thought it shouldn't have been an issue for the OP when they came back to the US, having the marriage license is a good idea to carry. 

 

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 minute ago, javadown2 said:

 

I guess it's not a big deal if you carry all the documents with you (babies birth certificate, marriage license, ((Baby has US passport)). I just hear that there can be issues if you can't prove that the babies mother is my wife. It's a non issue I guess, will just bring all the evidence with us. We will get the baby a Filipino passport as well. 

We have enough time to go ahead and get my wife's passport name change (going in October), so really it was a bad question, lol. 

 

I just thought it shouldn't have been an issue for the OP when they came back to the US, having the marriage license is a good idea to carry. 

 

 

Do get the BB stamp in yours and your baby's passport upon arrival.     Yes carrying a copy of the marriage certificate when the names on the GC and passport don't match is a good idea.