AOS Approved - Travel with different Names

[cristinea2 7]

Hi all,

 

My conditional green card is Christina NewLastName.

 

My passport is Christina OldLastName.

 

I did not keep my old last name as maiden.

 

Is it safe to travel with airticket in OldLastName + Passport + Marriage certificate?

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, cristinea2 said:

I did not keep my old last name as maiden.

so you have 3 last names:

 

* passport name

* maiden name

* green card / spouse name 

 

?

 

1 hour ago, cristinea2 said:

 

Is it safe to travel with airticket in OldLastName + Passport + Marriage certificate?

depends on the answer to my question

[AOSFairfax 111]

2 hours ago, cristinea2 said:

Hi all,

 

My conditional green card is Christina NewLastName.

 

My passport is Christina OldLastName.

 

I did not keep my old last name as maiden.

 

Is it safe to travel with airticket in OldLastName + Passport + Marriage certificate?

Hey there! I'm also from Greece and have the same problem since as you know, Greece won't let you change your last name. But to answer your question, yes, you should be good to go. I have taken multiple trips to Greece and other countries with my Greek passport that has my maiden name, ticket booked in that maiden name, and GC in married name. Entering Greece / other countries, border authorities won't typically care what is on your GC. To board back to the US, they'll check your GC but I've never had them ask why the names are different. Once in the US, CBP cares about the GC itself for the most part and I've never had them ask anything about the names. I always carry a copy of our marriage certificate just in case.

 

Now, what I haven't quite figured out is what to do once my naturalization is approved since I'll have 2 passports with 2 last names but as far as traveling on a GC, you should be okay!

[cristinea2 7]

I have my old last name on passport (maiden), my green card has my new last name. I dont have my maiden name at green gard.

[cristinea2 7]

1 minute ago, AOSFairfax said:

Hey there! I'm also from Greece and have the same problem since as you know, Greece won't let you change your last name. But to answer your question, yes, you should be good to go. I have taken multiple trips to Greece and other countries with my Greek passport that has my maiden name, ticket booked in that maiden name, and GC in married name. Entering Greece / other countries, border authorities won't typically care what is on your GC. To board back to the US, they'll check your GC but I've never had them ask why the names are different. Once in the US, CBP cares about the GC itself for the most part and I've never had them ask anything about the names. I always carry a copy of our marriage certificate just in case.

 

Now, what I haven't quite figured out is what to do once my naturalization is approved since I'll have 2 passports with 2 last names but as far as traveling on a GC, you should be okay!

Oh that really helps thank you so much!!!

 

Regarding the last name change, i know that per law is not allowed but when i go to our embassy to reguster my marriage they cant change my name there?

[Mike E 11,739]

11 minutes ago, cristinea2 said:

I have my old last name on passport (maiden), my green card has my new last name. I dont have my maiden name at green gard.

Book tickets in your passport name. Bring your marriage certificate.

[AOSFairfax 111]

21 minutes ago, cristinea2 said:

Oh that really helps thank you so much!!!

 

Regarding the last name change, i know that per law is not allowed but when i go to our embassy to reguster my marriage they cant change my name there?

I’m honestly not sure. When I went to the embassy to register our marriage I asked if I could get a new passport with the new last name. The guy was very confused lol and told me that he wasn’t sure but if I could, I’d have to wait until my passport expired to maybe do so. 
 

It’s been a few years now and I recently did renew my Greek passport but I honestly did not ask whether I could change my name on it. I should’ve, I just didn’t feel like dealing with Greek bureaucracy haha. If you find out though, let me know!!

[cristinea2 7]

35 minutes ago, AOSFairfax said:

I’m honestly not sure. When I went to the embassy to register our marriage I asked if I could get a new passport with the new last name. The guy was very confused lol and told me that he wasn’t sure but if I could, I’d have to wait until my passport expired to maybe do so. 
 

It’s been a few years now and I recently did renew my Greek passport but I honestly did not ask whether I could change my name on it. I should’ve, I just didn’t feel like dealing with Greek bureaucracy haha. If you find out though, let me know!!

I will let you know. I hear you about the bureaucracy