Passport name must match airline ticket

[waynel]

A fellow diver recently told me that the name on your new passport must exactly match the name on your airline ticket. For example: My wife has always used the first initial of her maiden name as a middle initial, Lisa G. LeJeune. The G is for Garon, her maiden name. However, her middle name is Anne, as show on the birth certificate. Naturally, her passport lists her name as "Lisa A. LeJeune", but she has an airline ticket to Mexico that says "Lisa G. LeJeune". He thinks we might have a problem both getting into Cozumel, and returning to the states. Anyone have any information regarding on this subject? I can't find anything in the new passport laws or with the airlines. Should she bring her birth certificate as well, as a backup? Knowledge, opinions, please? We leave in 3 weeks.

 

[TCDiver1]

Well, to be safe, i guess i would make sure my tickets matched my passport exactly. No reason to give any overzealous government employee reason for concern.

Thanks for bringing it out. It's the first i've heard of something like this.

 

[joewr]

Hi,

To my knowledge, the passport name and the ticket name can vary slightly. I.e., John Able Doe on a passport is consistent with John A. Doe or John Doe on a ticket. I have personal experience with this.

In regard to your wife's issues, it is probably not a problem, but the fix is easy: ask the airlines to change it. If it will cost you money--and the $100 fee is loved by the airlines--you will probably be served well by bringing along the birth cert and marriage lic. But I think they will remain in your wife's carry-on gear and never see the light of day.

Eventually, in order to avoid heartburn, she should probably make all travel documents consistent.

I hope this helps...

joewr

 

[Christi]

A fellow diver recently told me that the name on your new passport must exactly match the name on your airline ticket. For example: My wife has always used the first initial of her maiden name as a middle initial, Lisa G. LeJeune. The G is for Garon, her maiden name. However, her middle name is Anne, as show on the birth certificate. Naturally, her passport lists her name as "Lisa A. LeJeune", but she has an airline ticket to Mexico that says "Lisa G. LeJeune". He thinks we might have a problem both getting into Cozumel, and returning to the states. Anyone have any information regarding on this subject? I can't find anything in the new passport laws or with the airlines. Should she bring her birth certificate as well, as a backup? Knowledge, opinions, please? We leave in 3 weeks.

Call the airlines. They are the one that checks your documents when checking in and boarding.

 

[waynel]

Thanks TC, Joe and Christi. It's no so much the airline I'm worried about, it's the screeners both here and in Mexico. Also, Joe, I'd rather spend the $100 on a night dive than changing a ticket. Maybe the airline will cut me some slack and change it for for free. But regardless of what the airline tells me, I think I will bring her birth certificate and marraige license as back up. I read on MSNBC web today that officials are showing some lienency because the rules are new, but don't know how long that will last...Christi...our group of 14 already have our daytime dives booked, but if I can get some divers to schedule a night dive with me, do you have openings February 14 -20. What is your web site so I can communicate with you on this through your site? Thanks.

 

[ggunn]

Thanks TC, Joe and Christi. It's no so much the airline I'm worried about, it's the screeners both here and in Mexico. Also, Joe, I'd rather spend the $100 on a night dive than changing a ticket. Maybe the airline will cut me some slack and change it for for free. But regardless of what the airline tells me, I think I will bring her birth certificate and marraige license as back up. I read on MSNBC web today that officials are showing some lienency because the rules are new, but don't know how long that will last...Christi...our group of 14 already have our daytime dives booked, but if I can get some divers to schedule a night dive with me, do you have openings February 14 -20. What is your web site so I can communicate with you on this through your site? Thanks.

http://bluextseadiving.com/ is Christi's website. She doesn't do business on ScubaBoard, as per the board regs.

 

[frankc420]

Chances are the airline will tell you it's not a big deal.

 

[Web Monkey]

The airlines are generally very literal. If your passport says "Joe Blow" your ticket had better say "Joe Blow" also or chances are excellent that you're not going to be leaving (or returning to) the country. They don't particularly care about explanations.

I'd suggest going to the State Department website and looking at the expidited passport service and get one that has the right name on it.

Supposedly there's an option where you can actually show up and get it done the same day. They also have a 2-week option if you're willing to cough up extra money and pay FedEx both ways.

Terry

A fellow diver recently told me that the name on your new passport must exactly match the name on your airline ticket. For example: My wife has always used the first initial of her maiden name as a middle initial, Lisa G. LeJeune. The G is for Garon, her maiden name. However, her middle name is Anne, as show on the birth certificate. Naturally, her passport lists her name as "Lisa A. LeJeune", but she has an airline ticket to Mexico that says "Lisa G. LeJeune". He thinks we might have a problem both getting into Cozumel, and returning to the states. Anyone have any information regarding on this subject? I can't find anything in the new passport laws or with the airlines. Should she bring her birth certificate as well, as a backup? Knowledge, opinions, please? We leave in 3 weeks.

 

[HowardE]

We have traveled to different countries (my wife and I) several times in the past, and her passport still has her maiden name. We just carry a copy of the marriage certificate (which nobody has asked for), and it hasn't presented a problem. She does have a driver's license in her married name... I asked a customs officer last time we came back into the U.S. and he said, "It's obviously her. Don't worry."

We have not had to travel recently with the new passport requirement, but we have traveled with passport requirements since 2001.

 

[BabyDuck]

funny what we're all anal about, but my name is one of my things. i would never have something official that had an 'incorrect' name, even if it was the initial i preferred or whatever. most things - total slacker. my name - not so much.