Traveling with green card/passport in maiden name?

[f1optaos 2]

Hi, has anyone had any issues with traveling in/out of the country with their maiden last name on travel documents?

 

I finally changed my last name with the SSA and DMV after much procrastination - now my social security card and driver's license (California) both show my new last name! 

 

On the other hand, my 10-year green card and South Korean passport are still showing my old maiden last name. I looked into updating them as well, but I found out that it's very costly to update them! It costs $500+ to file a i-90 for the green card name change and another $100+ for the Korean passport. If it's like $50 then I'd do it, but hundreds of dollars doesn't seem very  appropriate. I'm also considering naturalizing at some point, which would cost another $700+ (too expensive) if I do decide to move forward.

 

I still have ~5 years left on both my green card and passport, so I'm considering just leaving them as they are, traveling with them as well as my marriage certificate, and updating the names when it's time to renew - has anyone done this and had any issues? I might decide to naturalize in the meantime, who knows... 

 

+ I was a bit surprised that the DMV system was connected to the social security system and they were able to confirm that I changed my name with social security - so I'm wondering if the social security system also talks to the CBP system and if I'd get flagged at entry - I typically just scan my green card at the global entry kiosk.

 

Thanks in advance for your insight!

 

 

[Dashinka 24,494]

My wife traveled many times in her case with the GC in her married name and her Russian passport in her maiden name and had no issues.  Keep a copy of your marriage certificate with you and purchase international tickets in the name on your passport, but otherwise you should be fine.

[Mike E 11,739]

Surprised you were able to change your name at  SSA and DMV with changing the gc. There may be a day of reckoning for you  later. 
 

Book international flight tickets in your passport name. 

[JeanneAdil 6,501]

it would help to get the real ID stamp on DL

 

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/what-is-real-id/real-id-info-non-u-s-citizens/

[f1optaos 2]

Thank you! Yes, my DL is a realID. 

 

 

 

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Thread is moved from General Immigration Discussion to the Working & Traveling forum -- topic is travel.

[Bob in Boston 702]

You can travel on your maiden name, My wife had her married name on DL SSN and bakning and taxes and her green card and passport in maiden name. Not worth the effort to change it. Did all the changes at naturalazation.

[Mike E 11,739]

21 hours ago, f1optaos said:

Thank you! Yes, my DL is a realID. 

 

 

 

As a former California REAL ID holder, I am surprised. Well done.